Full text of "Annals of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania, in the olden time; being a collection of memoirs, anecdotes, and incidents of the city and its inhabitants, and of the earliest settlements of the inland part of Pennsylvania"

See other formats

NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES

3 3433 08044047 6

hi.UUhUMJi!''

wiii^

Digitized by tine Internet Archive

in 2008 with funding from

IVIicrosoft Corporation

http://www.archive.org/details/annalsofphiladel03wats

Z-;,^! --^'c;

JOHN FANNING WATSON.

ANNALS

Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania,

IN THE OLDEN TIME;

BEING A COLLECTION OF

MEMOIRS, ANECDOTES, AND INCIDENTS

OF THE

CITY AND ITS TNHABITANTS,

AND OF THE

EARLIEST SETTLEMENTS OF THE INLAND PART OF PENNSYLVANIA;

INTFNDED TO PRESERVE THE RECOLLECTIONS OF OLDEN TIME, AND TO EXHIBIT SOCIETY

IN ITS CHANGES OF MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, AND THE CITY AND COUNTRY

IN THEIR LOCAL CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS.

By JOHN F. WATSON,

MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF PENNSYLVANIA, NEW YORK, AND MASSACHUSETTS.

ENLARGED, WITH MANY REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS, BY

WILLIS P. HAZARD.

PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED.

IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. III.

'Oh! dear is a tale of the olden time!"
Sequari vestigia rerun.

' Where peep'd the hut, the palace towers ;
Where skimm'd the bark, the war-ship lowers;
Joy gaily carols where was silence rude,
And cultured thousands throng the solitude."

PHILADELPHIA:

EDWIN S. STUART

9 South Ninth Street. ■;
1884. ''

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by

ELIJAH THOMAS,

Tn the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

ANNALS OF

Philadelphia and Pennsylvania

IN THE OLDEN TIME:

OR,

MEMOIRS, ANECDOTES, AND INCIDENTS

PHILADELPHIA ANB ITS INHABITANTS

FROM

TI-IE DAYS OF THE FOUNDEES.

WILLIS P. HAZARD

PHILADELPHIA:

EDWIN S. STUART

9 South Ninth Street.
T 884.

Entered according to Act of Ck)Dgress, in the year 1879, by

J. M. STODDART & CO.,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

$n i^emorp

SAMUEL HAZAED,

WHOSE LABORS IN BEHALF OP HIS NATIVE CITY AND STATE
ARE ATTESTED IN FIFTY-TWO VOLUMES,

THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED.

PREFACE.

Man, drifting with the tide of life, oft fancies he is carving
out his own fortune, and yet perhaps at his most fortuitous mo-
ments he may be, and often is, the creature of circumstances, or
perchance of destiny. That is, his destiny, all unknown to him-
self, may be already marked out. Or the Law of Inheritance —
that which proves that like begets like — quietly but surely out-
lines his every thought, and leads him to shape his actions, his
destiny, to carry out the fixed law. Surely, when the author
of this volume, as it lies before him, reflects that circumstances
over which he exercised no guiding hand have caused him to
be the creator of its existence, he may believe some unseen power,
whether it be that of Destiny or of Inheritance, has controlled his
actions. For he is the third generation of his family in a direct
line that lias gathered materials for History, and, according to
rule, in a descending scale. The first of the three generations
collected materials for the history of the States ; the second, of
the State; and the third of the City.

The publishers of this volume, having purchased the plates and
copyrights of John F. Watson's Annals of Philadelphia,
requested the compiler to prepare an additional volume of similar
character, which, in the light of later research, would eliminate
certain facts, and by additions bring some portions down to a recent
period ; also make necessary corrections of various things that
either escaped Mr. Watson's notice, or which documents that
were not then accessible have since proved to have been different.

It would have been far more easy to write an entirely inde-
pendent work, and certainly a much more pleasant book might
have been produced by thus doing; or it Avould have been better,
perhaps, in many cases to have inserted this later matter in the
form of foot-notes iu the original volumes or as addenda to the
various chapters. But the desire was to leave Mr. Watson's
work just as he made it — a work sui generis — so that they who
possessed it should be able to add this volume to those, and that
they who now obtain the whole work for the first time shall know
what is Mr, AVatson's and what that of the i)reseut P^ditor.

There seemed, then, no other feasible method than to fi)l]ow
Mr. Watson's arrangement, and introduce our facts and articles
seriatim and corresponding to his. AVhile this has made a more
useful book, it has prevented it being as agreeable a volume its

8 Preface.

might liave been made of the materials, and sometimes has neces-
sitated the repetition of some facts stated in the first two vokimes.

Many facts in tliis volume have been derived from an inter-
leaved cojiv of Tla^-sou's Annals in Aviiich Samuel Hazard had
written a large number of notes, additions, and corrections, M'ith
references to other sources of information, which have been dili-
gently followed up. His Annals of Pennsylvania have furnished
the material for the greater part of the early history in this vol-
ume, as have also his Colonial Records and Archives. His Reg-
ister of Pennsj/lvania, 16 vols., has been largely drawn upon for
many facts and incidents which his unwearied industry gathered.

By the above books, the histories by Proud, Gordon, Dr. Smith,
and various local histories, Watson's Annals, and that mommient
of perseverance, research, and historical acumen, Thompson West-
cott's History of Philadelphia, this City and this State have had
their history more developed and illuminated than that of any
other City and State in this country, and the works of AVatson,
Hazard, and AVestcott will be quoted as long as the State exists.

The records of Council in the early days of the city, by the
quaint, formal jottings down of the period, of important matters
to those of that day, but now of such trivial moment as often to
provoke a smile, give a faithful picture of the times, of the slow
progress of the growth of the City and of the people in the arts
and luxuries of civilization, and have to be drawn largely from
until the advent of the newspapers ; those faithful chroniclers of
current events, though they may be, as Dr. Rush says, " vehicles
of disjointed thinking." Now, the newspaper is the Daily His-
tory, though it may be written currente calamo. From the files
of these the historian must glean many facts and elucidations.

A late writer on art has said, defining Originality, ''It consists
in the power of combining, transfusing, digesting, assimilating
the material that comes into our possession from any source what-
ever." That is all of originality that is, or well can be, in a vol-
ume of this character, and the compiler claims no more. His
aim has been rather to preserve such facts as may frequently be
referred to than to make a fascinating volume.

From such an abundance of material as he had collected it was
difficult to know Mhat to cull out, and quite enough has been left
to form another volume. This must acccnmt for its absence to
many mIio will look for some article on his favorite toj)ic ; and to
the many friends who sent us articles and which do not appear
this must be our aj)ologv.

WILLIS P. HAZARD.

Maple Knoll, "Westchestek,
March, 1879.

}

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Arcade, The 190

Auction Sales 141

Banks, Panics, etc 381

Bar, Courts, etc.. The 164

Bingham Mansion, and Lans-

downe 271

Blue Anchor Tavern 175

Board of Trade 89

Bradford Family 439

Burlington Anniversary 80

Capital City in 1682 84

Carpenters' Hall 278

Carpets, Oil-cloths, and Paper-
hangings 125

Cemeteries 136

Chew Family, The 166

Christ Church 193

Churches 306

Country-seats 493

Crazy Norah 451

Dancing and Balls 159

Darrach, Lydia, and Captain

Loxley 265

Declaration of Independence,

First read 223

Declaration of Independence,

where Written 226

Delaware River 490

Directories of Philadelphia 152

Duche's House and St. Peter's

Church 266

'Duponceau, Peter S 283

Education 160

Fairniount and the Park 397

Fashions 124

Fifty Years ago in South-west

Part of City 390

Fires and Fire-Engines 405

First Powder-Hoase 303

Fort Wilson 286

Fourth and Market Streets 301

Fox-Hunting 156

Free Quakers 435

Friends' Almshouse 287

Friends or Quakers 431

Gas, Watchmen, etc 130

Germantown Academy 462

Germantown Notes 457

Gramme Park 192

Historical Society 501

History of Philadelphia till

Penn's Death 17

Kelpius, the Hermit of the Wis-

sahickon 458

Lenape Indians 466

Letitia Cottage 117

Libraries 335

Logans, The 446

Contents.

PAGE

London Coffeehouse 203

Lotteries 483

Market-Houses 182

Mayors of Philadelphia 87

McAllister, John 454

Memoir of John F. Watson 11

Meschianza 470

Military 168

Jliscellaneous Facts 503

Morris Mansion 464

Morris, Mrs. Ann "Willing 448

Morris, Robert, by Mrs. Hart... 251

New Public Buildings 232

Newspapers 479

Office of Secretary of Foreign

Affairs 283

Old Academy and University of

Pennsylvania 275

Old Houses 148

One of the Peales 94

Paper Money 482

Passenger Railroads 488

Pegg's Run 302

Penn Family 96

Pennsbury 465

Penn's Character, by MacVeagh 99

Peon's Treaty Tree 104

Pennsylvania Hospital 329

Poorhouses 333

Post and Postmasters 475

Prisons 177

Progress of Philadelphia 234

Public Gardens 400

PAGB

Punishments 163

Quacks 478

Railroads and Canals 485

Ready-made Garments and Man-
ufactures 149

Relics of Washington 495

Schuylkill Fishing Company.... 291

Schuylkill River 491

Seasons and Climate 473

Shop Sigrts 368

Slate-Roof House 119

Sports and Amusements 154

State House 204

Steamboats 483

Stoddart, John 450

Stoves, Public Stages, Toma-
toes, etc 132

Streets, Names Changed 499

Swedish Church and the Swedes. 106
Swedish Settlements, Professor »

Stille's Address 113

Taverns and Hotels 344

Theatres and Actors 3G9

Thomson, Charles 442

Tilghman ilansion 193

Tunkers or Dunkards 461

Wardrobe of Franklin 121

Washington and Franklin

Squares 229

Washington's Carriage 128

Watches and Clocks 122

Windmill, or Smith's, Island.... 489

MEMOIR

JOHN FANNING WATSON.

The life of a man of the cliaracter of Johx F. Watson is
marked by few incidents. The greater portion of his life was
passed in a routine of responsible official duties, offering little
variation, but requiring proni])t attention, good judgment, and
unswerving honesty: all these he possessed in an eminent degree.
As a recreation from these duties his spare hours were devoted to
the acquisition of information relating to the early history and
progress of Philadelphia and its neighborhood.

He said of himself: "I was born in the stirring times of the
Revolutionary War, on the 13th of June, 1779." He adds:
" My mother, wishing to identify me with the scenes of the
Revolution, when the Flag of Peace was hoisted to the
breeze on Market Street hill held me up in her arms and made
me see and notice that Flag, so that it should be told by me in
after years, she at the same time shedding many tears of joy at
the glad spectacle. And now, an octogenarian, I feel a melan-
choly pleasure in recording this my testimony for the consider-
ation of my own posterity,"

The ancestors of Mr. Watson, by both the father's and mother's
side, were among the earliest settlers in the States of New Jersey
and Pennsylvania.

His paternal ancestor, Thomas Watson, born in Dublin of
English parentage, came to Salem, Nevv Jersey, in 1G67, and
afterward removed to Cohansey, where he had a town-lot of six-
teen acres in 1685.

His father, William Watson, was born in Salem, and married
there, in December, 1772, Lucy Fanning, whose family emigrated
to New Jersey from Stonington, Conn.

His maternal ancestor, Gilbert Fanning, came to this country
from the vicinity of Dublin in 1()41, with his bride, "the beau-
tiful Kate," daughter of Hugh O'Connor, earl of Connaught, and
settled in Groton, Conn., about the year 1645, on a place called
Fort Hill, formerly fortified against the Indians, and which re-
mained in the family for more than a century.

12 Annals of Philadelphia.

The Fannings were, most of them, noted for their patriotism
and celebrated in the defence of their country.

John F. Watson therefore came of excellent stock. His father,
William Watson, married Lucy Fanning. His father was "a
true })atriot, of a noble, generous natiwe, who would sacrilice his
own interest for that of his country." " At the beginning of the
Revolutionary War my father, being the owner of several vessels,
disposed of his property therein, and, putting the proceeds into
Continental money, went to sea as a volunteer in the General
Mifliin, ])rivate ship of war, with my uncle, Lieut. John Fan-
ning." They were shipwrecked and nearly perished, but going
to sea in another vessel they captured several prize-vessels.

Afterward he left his bride and served in a detachment under
Pulaski to resist a British invasion ; his commander was shot,
when W'atson brought olf his company. His house was fired
Nov. 10, 1781, and he was taken prisoner by the refugee Joe
Mulliner, sent to the New York jirovost, and placed sick in the
Stromboli hospital-ship ; and returned home in INIay to find his
Continental money depreciated and himself surrounded by ad-
verse circumstances. Finally, on a voyage to New Orleans wath
one of his sons, both were lost.

Mr. Watson's mother was a noble woman, with rare accom-
plishments, a highly cultivated mind, and great purity of heart.
She was a vocal and instrumental performer, a composer of music,
a poetess, and an artist both with her pencil and her embroider-
ing-noedle. Though a woman of great beauty, she possessed
great piety.

Of such parents John F. Watson was born June 13th, 1779,
at Batsto in Burlington county, New Jersey. After receiving a
good education he entered mercantile life in the counting-room
of James Vanuxem, an eminent merchant in Phihidelphia, where
he learnt to speak and write French. Here he continued until
he was nineteen years of age, Avhen (in 1798) his having joined
the Macpherson Blues otfended tiie Frencli interests of tiie firm,
and he therefore had to resign and witiidraw. He next became
a clerk in the War Department at Washington, where he re-
mained until 1804, when, in his twenty-fifth year, he formed a
business connection with Gen. James O'Hara of Pittsburg, cpiar-
termaster-general to Gen. Wayne's Indian army. He was soon
ap])<)inted to the office of commissary of j)rovisions for the army
at all the ])osts in Louisiana. This brought him in contact with
many prominent citizens and officers and their families — peo])lc
of refinement and intelligence. He wrote an interesting journal
of this period, including the long and tedious ride in a rude boat
down the Oiiio and the Mississippi, drifting with the current.

His residence at New Orleans after two years was cut short by
the distressing news of the loss of his father and brother and all
on board of the vessel. He soon returned to his mother at Phil-

Memoir of John Fanning Watson. 13

adelphia, and shortly after established himself as a publisher on
Chestnut street, and so continued for several years. He was espe-
cially interested in publishing the American edition of Dr. Adam
Clarke's Commentaries, and also the Select Reviews of Literatwre.

In 1812 he married Phoebe Barron Crowell, daughter of
Thomas Crowell of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, a lineal descend-
ant of Oliver Cromwell. The two brothers, coming over to this
country, when at sea were informed of the unpopularity of the
name with some. They therefore determined to make a new
family name, and with form and solemnity cast the m into the
sea and adopted the name of Crowell.

Mr. Watson's union with Miss Crowell proved a very happy
one ; they lived together for forty-seven years ; she died in 1859.
They had seven children ; two died in early life, and five survived
their parents — three daugiiters and two sons.

In 1814, Mr. Watson was elected cashier of the Bank of Ger-
raantown on its organization, and held the office for thirty-three
years, faithfully performing its duties. He was chosen treasurer
and secretary of the Germantown and Norristown Railroad in
1847, and resigned the cashiership. He resigned in 1859, "not
wishing to occupy any office after his eightieth year," though he
said he felt like " Caleb — as strong to go out and come in as he
was forty years before." During all the period of these duties
lie was scarcely ever detained from his office one day by sickness,
and was never sick in bed until the last two years of his life.

As early as 1820, Mr. Watson commenced to collect antiqua-
rian material, beginning with the legends and histories about Ger-
mantown. Probably the first time any of these was printed was
in 1828. In May of that year my father printed in the Register
of Pennsylvania (vol. i. 279 and 289) some extracts from Mr.
Watson's MS. books, and prefaced them with a short introduc-
tion, in which he said they were "collected by him from various
sources, principally from aged persons in that town, either de-
scendants of early settlers or others who had opportunities of
ascertaining the facts communicated. The opportunity at present,
affiarded by ancient persons being still alive, who can communi-
cate anecdotes and facts, ought to be embraced for obtaining them,
as in a very few years the old generation will have passed away,
and even the few facilities we now have of acquiring information
of the characters, manners, and habits of the settlers, and the cir-
cumstances attending their early settlement of those towns, be for
ever removed. From this small example we may see how much
information may be acquired by a single person with Mr. Wat-
son's industry and application to inquiries of this nature; and
these notes form a very small portion of what he has amassed re-
specting the early history and incidents of this city, which we
hope he may at some future period be induced to present to the
public."

14 Annals of Philadelphia.

These liopes were realized, for in 1830 INIr. Watson issued the
first edition of" liis Annals of Pliiladclphia ; being a Collection of
Memoirs, Anexidotes, and Incidents of the City and. its Inhabitants
from the days of the Pilgrim Founders; also, Olden-Time Re-
searches and Reminiscences of New York City in 1S28. It was in
one vohune, 8vo, of" about 800 pajies, illustrated with a number
of ]ilh()!:;raj)lis. In 1842, as the work liad been long out of j)riut,
he rfc])ublisiied it, revised and enlarged, in two volumes, 8vo,
pp. G09, 586. Again, in 1856 he made his final revision and
additions, increasing the second volume by an a))pendix of 47
pages. In the later editions lie omitted the portions relating to
New York, but added a number of fine woodcuts from original
drawings, of which he gives an account in his work, as Avell
as of the artist.

In 1833 he published in one volume, 12mo, Historic Tales of
Olden Time concerning the Early Settlement and Progress of Phil-
adelphia and Pennsylvania, the sale of which, he says, paid hira
no profit.

(For an account of his writing these books see the Annals,
Vol. II. ]>p. 1-16, where he speaks feelingly of his subject.)

It is due to Mr. Watson's memory to say that his writings
awakened an active s])irit for antiquarian research, which culmi-
nated in the Historical Society. Two years before he published
his Annals Samuel Hazard had commenced the Register of Penn-
sylvania, which was partly devoted to the preservation of our
early history. They worked hand in hand in unearthing manv
facts that would otherwise have been lost ; they were lifelong
friends.

A letter to Edward Everett by Mr. Watson sliows how he had
himself gained his information : " First, aim to give an intellect-
ual picture of Boston and its inhabitants, customs, etc. as it stood
at its settlement, and then at successive stages of tliirty to fifty
years. My sclieme enables you to detail much of that Mhich
would not suit the gravity and dignity of common history ; indeed,
I rather aim to notice just such incidents as that omits. You will
perceive that the mind Avhich shall be qualified for such a pleas-
ing task must possess such taste, enthusiasm, and energy to ex-
ecute his will and express his feelings as must prompt a poet to
lav evervthing under contribution to his art. He must seek out
old ix'Oj)]c of all descriptions; he must not scru])le to act without
formal introduction ; he must labor to bring back to the imagina-
tion things which none can any longer see; he must generate the
ideal j)resence and learn to comnume with men and maimers of
other times. He should seek out and carefully run over the
oldest gazettes, magazines, etc. ; their local news will furnish
many facts and valuable hints. Another source of local informa-
tion will be found in consulting the earliest court records, etc. ;
but more particularly in the presentments of the grand juries of

Memoir of John Fanning Watson. 15

each court you will get at the earliest condition of the place and
people. Collect from the old soldiers of the Revolution all the
remarkable incidents coming to their knowledge of the war. This
would collect many proofs of individual valor and many moving
anecdotes. Get also from those pioneers who were the first set-
tlers in the interior the many strange things they first saw in its
savage state, and the contrast now." It was in this spirit he
worked, making short journej'S in every direction, consulting
every old person likely to give him hints, watching the demo-
lition of old buildings, and examining MSS. and papers wherever
he could hunt them up. It is by his unwearied diligence that
many things are preserved that would otherwise long since have
passed into oblivion. In his rambles he collected many curios-
ities, pictures, portraits, autographs, etc., and his MS. annals in
the Philadelphia Library and Historical Society are not only very
curious, but valuable.

In this spirit of preserving the memory of the great and good
he caused the remains of Godfrey, the inventor of the quadrant,
and those of his parents, to be removed to Laurel Hill and a
monument to be placed over them, and a monument to be erected
over the remains of General Nash ; another over Colonel Irwin,
Captain Turner, and others who fell at the battle of German-
town ; one over the British officers, Brigadier-General James Ag-
new and Lieutenant Bird, who fell in the same battle; he en-
deavored to honor in like manner John Fitch's memory by a
stone on the banks of the Mississippi, and interested himself in
the erection of a monument to Charles Thomson in Laurel Hill.

Mr. Watson's long life may be attributed to his temperate
habits, his love of exercise and gardening, and his equanimity of
temper. He was a man of few but strong attachments, of un-
tiring energy and perseverance — strong in a religious belief, a
firm patriot, though no politician, and a man of retentive
memory.

Besides the Annals and other local works, he wrote on many
subjects, particularly on theology. While in New Orleans, and
not then a pious young man, he originated the first Episcopal
church there. For thirty years, up to his death, he was a com-
municant in St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Germantown.

He persuaded G. W. P. Custis to write out his Recollections of
Washington, and suggested the topics for that work. He was
one of Macpherson's Blues, who formed a guard of honor in the
funeral procession in memory of Washington, December 26th,
1709, which marched to the Lutheran church to hear the oration
of General Henry Lee. Not one is now living.

Mr. Watson died Sunday, December 23d, 18G0, in the eighty-
second year of his age.

The Historical Society at a meeting on the 14th of January
passed a series of resolutions expressing their deep regret at the

16 Annals of Philadelphia.

loss of one of its most distinguished members, and requesting
Rev. Benjamin Dorr, D. D., to prepare a memoir, which was
read in public. From this memoir, Mith facts added by mem-
bers of his family, this sketch of Mr. Watson has been prepared.
This memoir was supplemented by a touching eulogy of the
deceased by Hon. Horatio Gates Jones.

In New York, Benson J. Lossing, the historian, and a friend
of Watson, announced his death to the New York Historical
Society in -some appropriate remarks, and the society adopted a
series of resolutions. Mr. Lossing also prepared a memoir of
him, and published it in his Eminent Americans.

Only two months after Mr. Watson's decease another annalist,
and one of his friends, ])assed away — Dr. John W. Francis, the
historian of Xew York City.

ANNALS

PHILADELPHIA AND PENNSYLVANIA.

FROM HUDSON'S DISCOVERY OF THE DELAWARE TO THE DEATH

OF PENN.

CHAPTER I.

SETTLEMENTS BY THE DUTCH ON THE DELAWARE, 1609-1638.

The originator of these Annals having already given an out-
line of the Colonial History of Philadelphia (Vol. I. p. 6, et seq.),
it only remains for us to add a few details.

Those wlio see the great city in our time can form but little
conception of its appearance in 1609, when Hudson entered the
hsCy, hesitating to pursue his way farther up the stream on ac-
count of shoals. But its site was a trackless wild, and covered
Avith hills where now all is so level, and these again intersected
by creeks. The inhabitants were numerous, principally of the
Lenni Lenape Indian tribe.

Hudson, an Englishman in the service of the Dutch East India
Company, sailed north and discovered the river which bears his
name, though sometimes called the North River, while the Del-
aware was known as the South River. It received its present
name, soon after Hudson's visit, from the English in Virginia,
after Lord de la War, who touched at its mouth about one year
after Hudson, or in 1610.

Thus matters rested till the expedition sent out by the Dutch
East India Company under Cornells Jacobsen Mey, who gave his
name to Cape May and to Cape Hindlopen, Henlopen, or Hin-
loop, which he called Cornells. He came amply provided with
numbers and means of barter, subsistence, and defence. Mey, in
the " Fortune," cruised along the Atlantic coast, taking the southern
course, the others the northern coast as far as Cape Cod. After
making their explorations, four of the vessels returned to Holland.
Of the five vessels Mey brought with him, one was burnt at the
mouth of Manhattan River, but it was replaced by a small craft
they built of sixteen tons, forty-four and a half feet long and
Vol. III.— B 2 * 17

18 Annals of Philadelphia.

eleven and a half M-ide, to which they gave the name of "Onrust"
(or Restless). Thus in 1614 was the first vessel built in Amer-
ican waters. Captain Mey returned to Holland, leaving Captain
Hendrickson and a crew behind. Hendrickson about the sum-
mer of 1615 loft Manhattan, and, coasting along in the "Onrust,"
entered the Delaware, discovered most probably the Schuylkill,
and traded with the natives for furs and other supplies, also foi
"three persons "from the Minquas. Returning home in 1616,
he claimed certain rights in the lands he had discovered, but
uhich the Netherlands Company refused him.

The East India Company's charter expired in 1618, and in
1621 the West India Company was chartered for twenty-four
years, with the sole right to trade and settle in America and
other countries. Under this right a vessel was sent to the region
of the South River, but no further account of it is preserved.
Though the English had made in 1622 certain claims for priority
of discovery, the Dutch Company ignored them, and sent out in
1623 a vessel under command of Captain Mey and Adriaen Joriss
(or Jorissen) Tienpont. After landing at New York and leaving
some of their passengers, among whom were five women, four of
whom had been married at sea, they entered the Delaware, which,
in addition to its other titles, was now" called Prince Hendrick's
River. They landed at or about Gloucester Point, and built Fort
Nassau of logs. The four women and their husbands, and eight
seamen, were sent a few weeks later by the Dutch governor to the
Delaware. The whole colony next year (1625) was transported
to Manliattan to strengthen the colony there, the fort was deserted,
and the river left to the rule of its native tribes. This was varied
only by an occasional trading-visit from the Dutch, or from the
English in Virginia, and thus ended the first attempt at settle-
ment.

Thus mattci-s remained until 1629, when the Dutch India Com-
pany issued a document, '' Freedoms and Exemptions," inviting
settlements in the "Xew Netherlands." They ofiered to any
member of the company free passage for any three or four per-
sons he might send out to select lands. Also, to any one who
would plant a colony of fifty persons over fifteen years of age,
within four years, the title and privileges of " a patroon." If lands
were selected on one side of the river, he should have a front of
sixteen miles and of any depth ; if on both sides of the river, a
front of eight miles. Tiie privileges were to be those of lords
owning the lands and with great authority over their people.

Under these inducements Heer Samuel Godyn made the first
purchase of lands on the South River from the Indians residing
near Cape Hindlop, on the south side of the bay, from Cajie
Hindlop to the river's mouth, thirty-two miles, Avith a depth of
two miles, paying therefor *' certain parcels of goods." Godyn,
with Samuel Bloemaert, in the same year (1630) bought a square

Settlements by the DutcJi. 19

of sixteen miles on the east side of the bay, covering what is now
known as Cape May Landing, and up the river.

Godyn had several partners, among whom was the celebrated
Van Rensselaer, patroon of New York, and David Pieterzen de
Vries. The latter was induced to take part in the enterprise on
account of the whale-fishery. They sent out the " Walrus,"
under command of Captain Peter Heysen (or Heyes), Decem-
ber 12, 1630. They arrived in the South River in the spring
of 1631, and landed at Hoern (or Hoer) Kill, now Lewes Creek,
on the west side of the river. They built Fort Oplandt, and
called the settlement Zwanendael, or Valley of the Swans. In
June, Heysen sailed for Holland, leaving in command Gillis
Hosset (or Osset), a man of little judgment, whose imprudence
cost the colony their lives. Having set up on- a post the arms
of Holland painted on a piece of tin, one of the Indian chiefs
unwittingly took it to make tobacco-pipes; and on Hosset's
making an ado about it the Indians slew the chief and brought
his head. The chief's friends, in revenge, gained entrance to the
house under the pretence of barter, slew the entire colony and
killed the horses and cattle. Thus ended the colony as settled
under what is usually styled "De Vries's first expedition," though
he was not personally with them.

Tiie next visit to the river was by the English — probably in
1632, in a sloop from Virginia — who penetrated as far north as
Passaiung, Coquanoc, and Shakamaxon. They were all mur-
dered at Graf Ernest River, supposed to be either the Timmer
Kill or Cooper's Creek.

Notwithstanding the ill-success of the first venture, the pa-
troons fitted out another expedition in 1632, the chief object
being the whale-fishery. De Vries jiersonally took command
of the ship and yacht, and sailed on the 24th of May, and
entered the Delaware not until tiie 5tii of December. He found
only the ruins of the settlement. However, he concluded on
the 9th inst. a treaty of amity, the first on record, and preceding
Penn's celebrated treaty by fifty years.

From this time till March he spent the time in sailing up
and down the river, being several times frozen in, and in dan-
ger from the Indians about Fort Nassau and Timmer Kill, some
of whom wore the clothes of the murdered Englishmen from
Virginia.

On the 6th of March, De Vries left Zwanendael for Virginia
on a visit to the governor, who treated him well, though claim-
ing the South River territories for the English by right of the
visit of Lord de la War, and not being aware of the discovery
by Hudson and the building of the fort by Mey in the interest
of the Dutch. De Vries returned to Zwanendael, broke up the
establishment, and returned with his men, and the proceeds of
nine whales out of seventeen struck, by way of New Amster-

20 Annals of Philadelphia.

dam on Manhattan, to Holland. Thus once more (April, 1633)
was the sway of the whole river abandoned to the natives.

Some time after this, in the same year, the Dutch, under the
orders of Wouter van Twiller, director-general at Nassau, again
took possession of Fort Nassau and built an additional house.
The commander, Arent Corssen, pursuing orders, purchased
"the Schuylkill and adjoining lands for certain cargoes" of the
Indians. Upon this land, and supposed to be on the eastern
side of the Schuylkill, and where that portion of Philadelphia
called Passyunk stands, they erected Fort Beversrede. Here
they carried on a thriving trade with the Indians for beaver-
skins and other commodities.

Fort Nassau was kept up, and the only incident of note for a
feAv years was an attempt at its capture by about a dozen Eng-
lishmen from Connecticut in 1635, among whom were George
Holmes and Thomas Hall. They did not succeed, but were
taken and sent as prisoners to ISIanhattan, though they even-
tually escaped punishment.

CHAPTER II.

SETTLEMENTS BY THE SWEDES OX THE DELAWARE, 1624-1653.

During the latter years of these Dutch occupations another
power had been casting its eyes toward the shores of the Dela-
Avare aud originating a company for its settlement. In 1G24,
William Usselincx of Antwerp, Avho was said to have been also
the projector of the Dutch West India Company, and to have be-
come dissatisfied with his companions, applied for a charter for a
Swedish AVest India Company. This was granted by King Gus-
tavus Adolphus in 1624, and the charter was issued June 24th,
1626, granting exclusive ])rivileges for twelve years from May
1st, 1627. The com])any at first received considerable attention
and liberal subscriptions, but the wars of Gustavus delayed active
operations for eleven years. Usselincx seems never to have taken
an active part in the actual operations, beyond being named as
director in the charter, as the first colony was sent out in 1638
under the direction of Governor Petier ]\rinuit, the former first
Dutch director of Manhattan. Queen Christina was the patron
of the expedition, which sailed in the man-of-war " Key of Cal-
niar" and a tender, "The Griffin."

Arriving in the spring at Jamestown, Virginia, they sailed north
to the Delaware early in April. Notwithstanding vigorous pro-
tests from the Dutch, they finished by July " Fort Christina,"
and entered vigorously into trade with the Indians — so much so
as to have exported thirty thousand skins the first year. This
fort was situated near a place called "The Rocks," near Wilming-

Settlements by the Sweden. 21

ton, on the Christine Creek, then called Minquas Kill. In the
latter part of July, Minuit left twenty-four men in the fort, pro-
vided with all sorts of merchandise. Tiie Swedes purchased all
the land from the Indians between Cape IIenlo])en and Sankikan,
at the falls of the Delaware at Trenton. Minuit bought a piece
of ground for a house, but accounts vary as to his leaving for home
in the vessel which brought him, or as to his continued residence
on the Delaware for three years, at which time Acrelius says he
died there.

However, he was succeeded by Peter Hollandaer, who probably
came over with Jost de Bogardt, who was commander of a new
expedition from Holland, though under the Swedish commission,
in 1640. Hollandaer was succeeded by Governor John Printz,
under whose management the Swedish rule was maintained with
vigor and glory. In the mean while, during the years 1640, 1641,
and 1642, the English from New Haven had made several at-
tempts at settlement on the river, the Indians again having resold
lands to them, as they seem to have been Avilling to sell to any
who would buy. The Dutch made several attacks upon these
English, and broke up their settlements.

John Printz was commissioned as governor in 1642, and arrived
at Tinicura in 1643. His instructions from the Swedish govern-
ment were to be very politic, using suavity to the Dutch and In-
dians, but if necessary to maintain the rights acquired by purchase.
He was to trade and introduce Christianity and civilization; to
cultivate tobacco, cattle, and silkworms ; to gather salt and metals,
whale oil and useful woods; and to govern according to his judg-
ment. His salary as governor of New Sweden was twelve hun-
dred dollars per annum; the whole expense of the government
was to be three thousand and twenty rix-dollars, besides provisions
in excise for further support of the government.

After a passage of one hundred and fifty days he arrived at
Fort Christina February 15th, 1643. Soon after he built a fort
antl fine mansion on Tinicura Island, not far from the Dutch fort
Nassau. Besides this Fort Gottenburgh, he built another on the
east side of the river, below the mouth of Salem Creek, thus, with
Fort Christina on the west, commanding both sides of the river.
This new fort was maintained for only about eight years ; it was
mounted with eight iron and brass guns and one "potshoof," and
garrisoned by a lieutenant and twelve men. De Vries, who again
visited the river in 1643, was astonishe<l and arrested in his
passage by it. It was, however, rendered useless by the erec-
tion of a Dutch fort below it on the same side of the river, and
abandoned.

Governor Printz, to secure the Minquas trade, built Fort
Manaiung (or Manayunk) on Province Island at Kinsessing,
thus controlling the kill or creek near the mouth of the Schuyl-
kill by which the Indians reached the Delaware. He also erected

22 Annals of Pluladelphia.

a mill on Coble's Creek, just above tbe bridge, near what is now
known as the Blue Bell Tavern, and where the holes sunk into
the rock in which the posts were placed can still be seen. He
also erected near it a strong'-house. The mill did a constant
business in grinding corn and wheat.

In 1644 the English, from Boston, endeavored ^o explore the
sources of the Delaware, expecting to find good beaver-territory
at Lake Lyconnia, the supposed source of supply. They were
brought to by the Swedes at Fort Gottenburgh, and sent back,
after paying forty shillings as the cost of the powder and ball
fired at them.

In this same year the Swedes sent home over forty thousand
pounds of tobacco and two thousand one hundred and twenty-
seven packages of beaver-skins.

In 1645 the Dutch governor at Fort Nassau, Jan Jansen von
Ilpendain, was superseded by Andreas Hudde, a man of energy.
"While endeavoring to trade with the Minquas at Fort Manayunk,
Printz ordered the vessel away, Hudde refused, and the Rev.
John Campanius, the Swedish historian, was sent to remonstrate
with him.

In September, 1646, the Dutch resolved to boldly assert their
right to the west side of the river, and Hudde was ordered to pur-
chase some land from the savages. Having purchased land where
Philadelphia now stands, the savages, as usual, being ready to re-
sell, he j)lanted the arms of the company on a pole, and i)repared
to build. Printz sent Hendrick Huygens to prostrate the arms.
Hudde arrested him, and sent Olof Stille and Moens Flom, two
Swedes, to request Printz to punish him. Hudde claimed, " The
place which we possess, we possessed indeed in just property per-
hajis before the name of the South River was heard of in Sweden,"
and protested against the Swedish usurpations.

In the years 1647 and 1648, and even until 1651, there were
repeated attempts made by the Dutch to build houses, which were
as often destroyed by the Swedes, the constant bickerings leading
to much ill-feeling between the representatives of the two nations,
the Indians in the mean while siding with the Dutch, and con-
firming the original sale in 1633 to Arent Corssen.

To settle matters, Director-General Peter Stuy v&sant came from
New Amsterdam, held communications with Printz, and had the
land formally ceded to him l)y deed irom the Indians. This
covered all the lands between Fort Christina and Bomptie's Hoek
(or Bombay Hook), called by them Neusings. Stuyvesant aban-
doned Fort Nassau, and erected in its stead Fort Casimir, near
New Castle, so as to command the river ; this soon became a strong-
hold of much imj)ortance. Stuyvesant concluded a treaty of
peace with Printz, and returned to New Amsterdam.

With the easy-going nature of the Dutch, the war of words
waged for some years past had not hurt anybody, but this decisive

Extinction of the Swedish and Dutch Power. 23

stroke, of building Fort Casimir so sliort a distance below Fort
Christina, seemed to betoken more vigorous measures.

CHAPTER III.

EXTINCTION OF THE SWEDISH POWER BY THE DUTCH, AND OF THE
DUTCH BY THE ENGLISH, 1653-1664.

The Swedish government at home now resolved to prosecute
measures for a more absolute settlement of New Sweden on the
Delaware. Rev. John Campanius had returned to Sweden in
1648, and was followed by Governor Printz in 1653, leaving his
son-in-law, John Pappegoya, in charge.

lu 1653 (August 26th) the government granted to Captain
John Amundson Besk (or Besh) and wife land extending to Up-
land's Kill, or Chester Creek, and including Maritie's Hoek, or
Marcus Hook ; and to Lieutenant Swen Schute and wife, Mock-
orhulteykyl and the island of Karinge, and Kinsessing, including,
probably, lands on both sides of the Schuylkill in the townships
of Kinsessing and Passyunk. Here was Fort Korsholm, after-
ward abandoned by the Swedes and burnt by the Indians ; it
probably stood near Point Breeze.

This same year John Rysingh (or Rysing) was commissioned
as governor, and directed to extend tlie colony without giving
offence to the Dutch or English, for fear of " risk to what we
already possess," and " to avoid resorting to hostilities ;" " and
rather suffer the Dutch to occupy the said fortress than that it
should fall into the hands of the English, who are the more
powerful, and, of course, the most dangerous in that country."

Notwithstanding these orders, when Rysingh, together with
John Amundson — who went Avith him as military commander —
appeared off Fort Casimir on the 31st of May, 1654, they deter-
mined to make a bold stroke. They sent on shore Captain
Swenso with twenty men, who marched up to the fort, and, it
being opened, entered it. Whether the Dutch commander, Gerrit
Bikker, was paralyzed with fear or unsuspecting, he submitted to
the Swedish authority, having ten or twelve men in the fort.
This was on Trinity Sunday, which the Swedes signalized by
calling it Trefalldigheetz Fort, or Trinity Fort.

Rysingh assembled the Indians at Tinicum, and renewed the
old agreements with Naaman and other Indians.

Such successes on the part of the Swedes fairly aroused the
Dutch. The company at Amsterdam sent out to Stuyvesant five
armed vessels, with authority to employ more. He appeared be-
fore Fort Trefalldigheetz with seven vessels and six hundred
men, and after a brief parley with Swen Schute, the commander,

24 Annals of Philadelphia.

marched in with flying colors. At Fort Christina the Dutch at-
tempted a siege, and after fourteen days, with only one gun fired
on either side, Rysingh marched out with colors flying. They
also burnt Fort Gottenburgh on Tinicum Island.

Thus ended tlie Swedisli ])ower for ever in the Delaware settle-
ments. The Dutch became good masters, and those Swedes mIio
remained had no cause of complaint. Fort Christina was called
Altona, Fort Casimir resumed its name, and a settlement sprang uj^
near it called Xew Amstel, the first town on the river. Various
attempts were made by the Swedes and others for settling higher
up the river, but few of which were successful. The Dutch gov-
ernor in lGo4 granted permission to settle a tract of land to Mar-
tin Clcnsmitli, William Stille, and Lawrence Andries^ which was
confirmed by William Pcnn in 1684. It was then in Philadelphia,
in Passyunk. Also eight hundred acres were granted to Swen (or
Sven) Gondersen, Swen Swensen, Oele Swensen, and Andries
Swensen, known as Wicaco. It commenced at Moyamensing
Kill, or Hollander's Creek, extending up the river to about South
street. Part of this ground was sold by Swensen in 1701 to
Edward Shipj)en — about fifty acres, extending west to about
Tenth street at the southern point, and to Seventeenth street
below South street at the northern point. This tract had been
previously confirmed in 1671 by Francis Lovelace, governor-
general under the duke of York. From these most of the
present titles in Southwark date.

During this time, up to 1664, various intimations were given
of the claim of the English to all this territory on the Delaware,
agents having been sent from the ^Maryland settlements; and at
one time Lord Baltimore himself paid a visit to New Amstel.
These culminated on March 12th, 1664, when King Charles 11.
granted to James, duke of York and Albany, a patent for the
tract of land between New England and the east side of the
Delaware Hiver. ]\Iay 5th, four commissioners were sent to
visit the lands in America and reduce them to subserviency to
the English crown. They left Portsmouth in the frigate
" Guinea " and three other vessels, and, arriving at New Am-
sterdam in Augnst, demanded its surrender, which Stuyvesant
finally consented to on the 8th of September.

The frigate and two of the vessels then sailed to Fort Casimir,
and after a parley stormed it, with a loss to the Dutch of three
killed and ten wounded. The cajiitulation ended the autliority of
the Dutch on the river, and the English were masters from New
England to Virginia.

We have forborne to mention some previous attempts to settle
portions of this country on the part of the English, as no perma-
nent settlement was made. But it is certain that King Charles
I. had granted (July 24th, 16:32) to Edmund I^lowden (or Ploy-
den) " a certain island and regions hereafter described," for which

Extinction of the Swedish and Dutch Power. 25

he made agreements with others to assist him to colonize, to the
extent of five hundred and forty colonizers. A cliarter was
therefore granted June 21, 1634, for "all that entire island near
the continent, or terra-firma of North Virginia, called the island
of Plowden, or Long Island, between 39° and 40°, together
with part of the continent or terra-firma aforesaid near adjoin-
ing described, to begin from the point of an angle of a certain
promontory called Cape May, and from thence westward for
the space of forty leagues, running by the river Delaware, and
closely following its course by north latitude into a certain
rivulet there arising from a spring of the Lord Baltimore in
the lands of Maryland ;" and so on in such a rambling, undis-
tinguishable part of the country that it is unnecessary to quote
it further. The curious will find the details in Hazard's State
Papers (4to, vol. i.) and reprinted in Hazard's Annals. In
Plowden's petition it is described, " Near the continent of Vir-
ginia, sixty leagues north from James City, without the bay of
Chesapeake, is a habitable and fruitful island, named Isle Plow-
den, otherwise Long Isle, with other small isles between 30° and
40°, about six leagues from the main, near De la Warre's bay,
whereof Your Majesty, nor any of your progenitors, were ever
possessed of any estate," etc. This territory Sir Edmund Plow-
den desired should be named New Albion.

A description of this province was published in 1648 by Beau-
champ Plantagenet and Robert Evelyn. It was dedicated to
Plowden, " Lord Proprietor, Earl Palatine, Governor and Cap-
tain-General of the Province of New Albion," and others — " in
all, forty-four undertakers and subscribers, bound by indenture
to bring and settle three thousand able, trained men in our said
severall plantations in the said Province." It is believed Plow-
den was in Virginia and New England for some seven to ten
years, from 1620 to 1630; when he returned to settle his lands
under the charter is uncertain, but there is evidence of his being
in America in 1642; he was here during the time of Director
Kieft and of General Stuyvesant, and of the Swedish governor
John Printz. He again returned to England in 1646 or 1648,
and found his affairs in a troubled state. In his will in 1698 he
bequeathed the " county palatine of New Albion and the Peer-
age to Thomas Plowden," having disinherited his son, who had
mismanaged the estate.

It is a very curious fragment of early history, and so nearly
lost in historic annals as to be invested with an air of doubt and
mystery, as to the exact location of the various tracts claimed by
Plowden, and the grants under his charter to others.

26 Annals of Philadelphia.

CHAPTER IV.

FROM TUE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT UNTIL
THE GRANT TO PENN, 1664-1681.

The English havincj assumed the control of the settlements
made by the Dutch and the Swedes, treated them very liberally.
They protected the inhabitants in their persons and estates, con-
tinued the magistrates in their offices, allowed liberty of conscience
in church discipline upon taking the oath of allegiance, declared
they should be free denizens, and that they should trade to any
part of His ]\rajcsty's dominions as freely as any Englishmen.

Fort Casimir became Fort Delaware, and Nieu Amstel, Xew
Castle; Zuydt (or South) River was always thereafter designated
as Delaware River. Sir Richard Nicolls was governor, with his
residence at New York, and Captain John Carre remained in com-
mand on the Delaware.

It is about this time (1667) we find the first mention of a '' town "
in one of the old deeds by Governor Nicolls, for ground connected
with Peter Rambo's farm in Kinsessing, It refers to the town
of Kinsessing in the bounds of Philadelphia, and must have been
situated on Kingsessing Creek, somewhere in the neighborhood of
the present Blue Bell Tavern or Suffolk Park.

In May, 1667, Colonel Francis Lovelace succeeded Richard
Nicolls as governor, residing at New York. He established a
court under his deputy. Captain Carre, and ordered that all who
held lands without authority of the English government should
apply to him for letters patent and pay quit-rents to William
Tom. These patents were generally, with a few exceptions, to
those bearing Swedish names.

Thus matters progressed peaceably until 1669, wdien a rebellion
against the English authority was fomented. The ringleader,
Marcus Jacobson, " the Long Finue," was finally arrested, branded
with an It, and sold as a slave to Barbadoes. One Henry Cole-
man, also a Finn, and, it is supposed, the Rev. Jacob Fabricius,
with others, were concerned in it. Punishment was meted out to
those arrested in the shape of fines and forfeiture of tlieir goods.

The next disturbance occurred in 1671, with the Mantas (or
Macpms) tribe of Indians, near Burlington. The first military
organization was established for nuitual defence, but the Lidian
chiefs arrested and shot the offenders, thus proving their friend-
ship for the whites.

But a more important disturl)ance of the peaceful progress of
affairs occurred in 1673, and the re-establishment of the Dutch
authority for sixteen months altered many of the existing arrange-
ments for that period. The war between the Dutch and English,
which commenced in 1662, was felt on the Hudson and Delaware
in July, 1663, when a Dutch fleet aj)peared before the English

Under the DuJce of York. 27

fort on Staten Island, which surrendered to the authority of the
prince of Orange without firing a shot. Anthony Colve was made
governor-general of New Netherlands, and Peter Al ricks com-
mander on, the Delaware, Liberal concessions were made to the
people, among which were free trade with Christians and savages,
freedom of conscience and equal rights ; and tiiree courts were
established — one at New Castle, one at Whorekill, and one at
Upland (now Chester), the latter having authority over Philadel-
phia. The lands and goods of the king of England and his offi-
cers were confiscated. All this was reversed by the treaty in Feb-
ruary, 1674, between the English and Dutch, and authority was
formally reassumed by the English in November, being the final
extinction of the Dutch authority in America for ever.

All former rights, privileges, and concessions under the English
government and proceedings under the Dutch government were
confirmed by Major Ednmnd Andros, the new governor under
the duke of York. The latter, being doubtful of the renewal
of his former title to the extensive territories in America granted
by Charles II., known as New York, New Jersey, and the Settle-
ments on the Delaware, obtained a new grant from the Crown.

Governor Andros encouraged settlers, granting fifty acres of
land to each. He visited the settlements in person, and held a
special court at New Castle in INIay, 1675; at which a church was
authorized to be established and paid for out of the taxes, as well
as the maintenance of the minister. All this was done away with
subsequently by Penn. By the same court the first road-laws
were passed and a ferry established.

The settlements were extended above the falls at Trenton by
purchases from the Indians by the duke of York from 1675 to
1678. The Indians were the Senecas, the Susquehannas, and
other "river" tribes.

In 1677 the Upland court levied on each tithable person twenty-
six guilders as poll-money for "defraying of the public charges;"
there were seventy-three taxables, or about one hundred and fifty
to two hundred men, women, and children, living in our own
boundaries. Light as the taxes were at that day compared with
those of this time, they were collected with difficulty.

This Upland court continued its jurisdiction for five years,
granting lands to various settlers and taking cognizance of most
of the affairs of the people of the time. November 12th, 1678,
by an agreement with the president of the New Castle court, the
boundary-lines between New Castle county and Upland county
were defined, the latter being the first time the territory of our
city was so defined, even to the time of Penn. U])land was the
place of meeting until June 8th, 1680, when the court, taking
into consideration that Upland was at the lower end of the county,
resolved thereafter " to sett and meet att y" town of Kingsesse in
y* Schuylkills." It adjourned on the 14th of June, 1681, aud ou

28 Annals of Philadelphia.

the 21st, Anthony Brockliolls, in the absence of Governor Andros,
issued letters mandatory " to y* severall Justices of y^ Peace, mag-
istrates and other officers Inhabiting within y* bounds and Limits
above mentioned, now called Pennsylvania," informing them that
on the 4th of March preceding the king had granted to "William
Penn, P^squirc, a certain tract of land in America, bounded east
by the Delaware River, from twelve miles' distance northward of
Kew Castle towne, unto the three-and-fortieth degree of northern
latitude," etc., etc.; and that the said William Penn had commis-
.sioned William iSIarkham to be his deputy governor, Mho had
shown his authority. *' Tlierefore thougt fitt to Intimate y^ same
to you, to prevent any doubt or trouljle that might arise, and to
give you or [our] thankes for yor good Services done in yor
severall offices and stations during ye tyme you remained under
His Royal Highness's Government; Expecting noe further ac-
count than that you readdily submit, and yeeld all due obedience
to ye sd Letters Pattent, according to y^ true Intent and meaning
thereof, in y^ prformance and Injoyment of wch wee wiesh you
all happiness."

Thus ended a court peculiar to itself, exercising almost despotic
rule over the private and public affairs of the citizens, frequently
"without jury deciding cases civil, criminal, ecclesiastical, and of
equity. It granted lauds or ordered agreements with Indians ;
ruled church affairs and raised taxes for their support ; it appointed
guardians and administrators ; made settlements of estates ; regu-
lated the sale of servants and took care of lunatics. Its process
was by summons on petition, as it had no prosecuting attorney,
and its execution was against property, and not the person, as there
was no jail. It was a court of law and equity, and its decisions
were respected.

CHAPTER V.

THE GRANT TO PENN AND SAILING OF MARKHAM, 1681.

Having taken a rapid survey of the settlements on the Del-
aware, and their progress from the time of the Indians under
the rule of the Dutch, the Swedes, and the English under the
duke of York, until the royal grant to William Penn, it will be
necessary to allude to certain events tiiat occurred during the latter
twenty years of this period to show why and how Penn became
interested and owner in lands in Pennsylvania.

The extensive rights in America bestowed upon the duke of
York covered, besides other territory, the State of New Jersey,
and of course the eastern side of the river Delaware, while his
right to absolute proprietaryship of lands on the western side of
the river was doubtful ; most probably he held them only as trus-

Sailing of Marhham. 29

tee for the king. In 1664 he sold New Jersey to Lord Berkeley
and Sir George Carteret, and settlements were made at Newark,
Elizabeth, and Shrewsbury by English and Scotch and from the
adjoining settlements in New York. Lord Berkeley sold his
interest in 1675 to Edward Byllinge, who was a Friend. Byl-
linge, becoming reduced, conveyed his interest to trustees for his
creditors. Penn was one of these trustees, and in the manage-
ment of the estate became acquainted with the land on the west-
ern side of the Delaware.

Penn, having himself suifered for his religious belief, con-
ceived the idea of founding a colony where entire freedom in
religions thought should be allowed and civil liberty Avould pre-
vail, and be an asylum for the oppressed of all nations. When
the l<ing, who owed his father money and a debt of gratitude for
services rendered, proposed to make him a grant of this land, he
accepted it, and at once proceeded to found a colony and develop
its resources. We are thus about to enter on the history of
Philadelphia at a momentous period.

Penn at the time of the grant to him in 1681 was thirty-seven
years of age, and had married Guliehna Maria Springett in 1672.
In his advocacy of the belief of Friends he was ardent and con-
sistent, frequently suffering imprisonment for his principles. The
duke of York, at his father's deathbed, had promised him to be-
friend his son, and therefore the more readily gave his assistance
and consent in establishing a colony in Pennsylvania. The king
owed his father's estate sixteen thousand pounds.

Under these circumstances a charter was issued at Westminster,
January 5th (later style, March 4th), 1681, constituting Penn
absolute proprietor of all that tract of land contained within the
present; limits of Pennsylvania, and investing him with the
power of government therein, and making him substantially
independent of the royal authority. The grant covered " the
tract bounded on the east by the Delaware E.iver, from twelve
miles distance northward of New Castle town unto the three-and-
fortieth degree of north latitude, if the said river doth extend so
far northward ; if not, then by the said river as far as it does ex-
tend ; and from the liead of the river the eastern bounds are to
be determined by a meridian line drawn from the iiead of the
river unto the said forty-third degree." It was to extend west-
ward five degrees in longitude from the eastern bounds. On the
north it was to be bounded by the forty-third degree, and on the
south by a circle drawn at twelve miles' distance from New Castle
northward and westward unto the beginning of the fortieth de-
gree of northern latitude, and then by a straight line westward to
the limits of longitude. It gave him all pro])erty in the lands
and waters, the woods and mines, and all fish ; authority to make
laws for the raising of money, with the consent of the greater
part of the freemen or their delegates ; power to appoint officers,

30 Annals of Philadelphia.

pardon crimes, constitute courts, and nominate judges to maintain
the laws of England and the Province, the provincial laws to be
transmitted to England within five years after their passage for
apjiroval ; authority to lay out towns, cities, and counties ; to
make fairs and markets, seaports and harbors; to impose custom
duties, subject to the royal customs; to punish savages, pirates,
and robbers; to raise militia and make war against enemies by
sea or robbers by land ; to put his prisoners to death or to save
them, according to the laws of war; to dispose of lands, erect
manors with power to hold courts-baron and hold view of frank-
])ledge. The king agreed not to levy taxes without consent of
the Proprietary or chief governor, or of act of Parliament in
England ; and that whenever twenty inhabitants should signify
their desire the bishop of London might send them a preacher
or preachers. For all this Penn was to send two beaver-skins
annually to the castle at Windsor in token of fealty.

With such unlimited powers delegated to him, Penn says: "I
took charge of the Province for the Lord's sake; to raise a people
"who shall be a praise in the earth for conduct, as well as for civil
and religious liberty ; to afford an asylum to the good and op-
pressed of every nation ; to frame a government Mhich may be
an example; and to show men as free and happy as they can be.
I have also kind views toward the Indians."

The charter was granted and signed at Westminster 5th of 1st
month (or, by later style, on March 4th), 1681, and on the 10th
of April, Penn issued a commission to Captain William ^lark-
ham, his cousin, as deputy governor. He wrote a letter dated
the 8th of April to the inhabitants, informing them of the change
in government and proprietarvship, also that they should be
unmolested in their property, that they should make their own
laws, and directing them to pay their annual dues to his deputy.

To Markham he gave instructions to call a council of nine, he
presiding; to send his letter to the inhabitants, and take their
acknowledgments of his authority; to settle boundaries ; to sur-
vey, sell, or rent lands; to erect courts and api)oint officers ; to
call to his aid any- of the inhabitants; to suppress tumults, make
ordinances, or anything else needed except making laws.

Markham must have sailed with little delay, as he was at New
York on the 21st of Jinie, when Governor Brockholls issued a
letter informing the people of the change. There seems to have
been none to settle who came with him ; shortly at'tor his arrival
he came to Philadelphia.

A fac-simile of the charter granted by Charles II. to William
Penn for the " Province of Pennsilvania," from the original in
the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, has been beauti-
fully printed in red and black on four sheets, to accom[)any the
second series of Pennsylvania Archives, of which seven volumes
are issued to 1879 bv the State.

Penn Founding his Government. 31

CHAPTER VI.

PENN FOUNDING HIS GOVERNMENT; HIS ARRIVAL IN AMERICA,

1681-1682.

In April, Penn issued a pamphlet giving his views of the
benefit of colonies, an account of the country, his thoughts on the
constitutions ; laid down the conditions ; described who and what
kind of people should go, what to take, and the cost, what was to
be done on arrival, and finally an account of the estate and power
granted to him. He concludes: "I desire all ray dear country-
folks" ... "to consider seriously the promises, as well as the
present inconveniences, as future ease and plenty, tiiat so none
may move rashly or from a fickle, but solid mind, having above
all things an eye to the providence of God in the disposal of
themselves. And I would further advise all such at least to have
the permission, if not the good liking, of their near relations, for
that is both natural and a duty incumbent upon all. ... In all
which I beseech Almighty God to direct us, that His blessing
may attend our honest endeavor, and then the consequence of all
our undertaking will turn to the glory of His great name and the
true hapjjiness of us and our posterity. Amen.

" William Penn."

Of the above he says : " The enclosed was first read to traders,
planters, and shipmasters that know these parties, and finally to
eminent Friends hereaway, and so comes forth. I have forborne
pains and allurement, and with truth. W. P."

He issued a paper entitled " Certain Conditions and Conces-
sions, July 11 [September], 1681," giving the terms of sale and
the general necessary regulations. In this he gave directions for
laying out " a large town or city," in which each purchaser was
to have lots of ten acres in proportion to every five hundred acres
of land he bought. Roads forty feet in breadth were to be laid
out from town to town, and streets laid out. Two hundred acres
to be the size of the town. Families or friends should have their
lots and lands sold as near each other as possible. Mining was
encouraged by the right to dig on any man's land, the miner
paying the damages and giving two-fifths of the proceeds to the
governor, one-tenth to the owner, one-fifth to the discoverer, and
the rest to the public treasury, saving to the king the siiare re-
served by patent. Every man was bound to plant or man his
share within three years. All goods to be exported or sold to
the Indians were to be bought and sold in the public market-
place, and be inspected to see if they were good. The Indians
were to be protected, dealt with, and have the same rights as the
white man. Tiie laws were to be carried out mostly as tiiey were
in England. All cattle, etc. were to be marked, to avoid strife.
One acre out of every five cleared was to be left in trees, especially

32 Annals of Philadelphia.

mulberries and oaks for silk and shipping. All sliips and
ship masters to be registered. Xo one to leave the ])lace with-
out publication being made in the market-place three weeks
before.

In 1681 he was offered six thousand pounds for the monopoly
of the Indian trade between the Susquehanna and Delaware
Rivers, and two and a half per cent, rent by a company to be
formed. He declined it, because " he would not defile what came
to him clean."

In the next month he appointed his "trusty and loving friends,
William Crispin, John Bezar, and Xathaniel Allen commissioners
for the settling of the present colony this year transported into
the Province," directing them to take especial care of those who
embarked with them, and getting them comfortably fixed — to fix
the site of his city or "great town" where "it is most navigable,
high, dry, and healthy," and where ships could unload cheaply,
particularly where the rivers run "up into the country." Ten
thousand acres to be laid out for the town. Every share of five
thousand acres to have one hundred acres of town-lots, or one
pound per acre. " Be tender of offending the Indians. . . .
]\Iake a friendship and league with them. ... Be grave ; they
love not to be smiled on." No islands were to be sold. The
streets were to be straight, running back from the river, with "a
storehouse on the middle of the key, which will yet serve for
market- and state-houses too." They were directed to select the
veiy middle of the plot on the street parallel with the river for
his house, and his lot to be one-thirtieth part of the city, instead
of one-tenth, or three hundred acres. The distance of each house
from the river to be one quarter of a mile, or at least two hun-
dred paces, because of building hereafter streets downward to
the harbor. Every house to be put in the middle of the breadth
of the lot, so as to leave " ground on each side for gardens or
orchards or fields, that it may be a green country-town, which
will never be burnt, and always be wholesome." Lastly, "See
that no vice or evil conversation go uncomplained of or unpun-
ished in any, that God be not provoked to Avrath against the
country."

This paper was witnessed by Richard Vickry, Charles Jones,
Jr., Ralph Withers, Thomas Callohill, Philip Th. Lehn-
niann.

At the same time he sent a communication to the Indians
breathing a spirit of goodwill and peace, amity and justice.

These commissioners, to whom were added William Haige,
set sail near the end of October, in, most probably, the " John
and Sarah," of one hundred tons, Henry Smith captain.. After
it, in Xovembcr, left the " Bristol Factor," Captain Roger Drew,
landing at Upland December 11th, on the lower side of Chester
Creek ; and iis the river froze that night, they remained there all

Penn Founding his Government. 33

winter. It is supposed the commissioners' families came with
them, as did those of John Otter and Edmund Lovett ; also
Joseph Kirkbride, who was afterwards a preacher among
Friends.

Applications for land a^d positions began to pour in upon
Penn, not only from England, but various foreign countries,
and he soon felt assured of success in his scheme. The press
of business prevented him from going in person, as he had
hoped to have done. Being desirous of affording facilities for
trade, and to develop the commerce of his settlement, he char-
tered a company from among the large purchasers for trade,
manufactures, and agriculture. It was started on a grand scale,
its charter, dated April 3, 1682, under the title of ''The Free
Society of Traders," granting extraordinary privileges and
twenty thousand acres of land in trust. Factories were to be
set up — one on the Delaware and another on Chesapeake Bay ;
storehouses and ships were to be built ; peltry to be bought from
the Indians. An agent in London was to sell the goods, and thfe
business in Pennsylvania was to be managed by four officers.
There was to be a secretary, treasurer, surveyor, and miner ;
each officer to have a numerous corps of assistants, tradesmen,
laborers, bookkeepers, miners, fishermen, glassmakers, etc., etc.
Of course all this tended to increase immigration, the people
interested and to be employed in developing this scheme alone
adding many to the population, which was increased by their
families. But as people arrived and settled they probably found
they could do better by themselves than in the company, and its
schemes were not carried out. We give the names of many in-
terested, as the descendants of some exist here to this day :
Dr. Nicholas More, James Claypoole, Philip Ford, William
Sherloe, Edward Pierce, John Symcock, Thomas Brassey, John
Sweetapple, Robert Turner, John Bezer, Anthony Elton, John
Bennston, Walter King, Thomas Barker, Edward Brookes,
Francis Plurasted, Francis Burroughs, Edward West, John
Crow, John Boy, Joseph Martin, Edward Pelrod, Thomas
Holme, Griffith Jones, James Harrison, Isaac Martin.

Amidst all the business pressing upon him William Penn's
mind was busy studying out the different systems of govern-
ment and framing a body of laws for the new country. He
took the advice of others, and amongst them that of his friend
the celebrated Algernon Sidney, who was of great use to him.
The result was " The Charter of I^iberties," a '' Frame of Gov-
ernment," bearing date April 25, 1682. It commenced with a
preface setting forth his views of the responsibilities of govern-
ments, and ending with his idea of " the great end of all govern-
ment— viz., to support power in reverence with the people, and
to secure the people from the abuse of power, that they may be
free by their just obedience and the magistrates honorable for

Vol. III.— C

34 Annals of Philadelphia.

their just administration ; for liberty without obe<liencc is con-
fusion, and obedience without liberty is slavery."

Then followed a preamble settinti; forth Penn's title and his
own grant to the freemen of the Province. The body of the
instrument declared there should be a governor and the freemen
in the form of a Provincial Council and General Assembly.
The first election bv the freemen of the Province was to be
held December 20, 1682 [February 12, 1683], for seventy-two
persons of " note for their wisdom, virtue, and ability," to meet
January 10th [.March 10th], 1683, as a Provincial Council. The
governor Avas to preside, and have " a treble voice." They were
to prepare all bills for the consideration of the General Assembly,
drafts of which were to be published thirty days before a meeting
of the Assembly. They were to execute the laws, care for the
public peace and safety, " settle the situation of all cities, ports,
and market-towns in every county, modelling therein all public
buildings, streets, market-})laces, and shall appoint all necessary
roads and highways in the Province;" to inspect the public
treasury, punish robbers or peculators thereof; to erect all
public schools, and reward authors of useful sciences and laud-
able inventions. The Council was divided into four commit-
tees of eighteen each — on Plantations, on Justice and Safety, on
Trade and Treasury, and on Manners, Education, and the
Arts.

Two hundred persons or less might be elected by the freemen
of the Province to the General Assembly at the same time as
members of the Council. The first session was to be held in the
capital town or city on the 20th of February [April], 1683. For
eight days the members were to confer together, and on the ninth
day to read over the several bills and decide on them. The pres-
ent system is exactly the reverse, as the Assembly prepares the
bills and the governor decides on them ; then it was onlv the
business of the Assembly to decide on the bills and suggest amend-
ments. For the first year the General Assembly might consist of
all the freemen of the Province, and afterward it should be chosen
as mentioned.

Courts were to be established by the governor and Council.
Judges, treasurers, and masters of the rolls to be chosen annually
by the governor from double the number of names necessary pre-
sented by the Council. The Assembly might im])each criminals,
and might sit longer than nine days if necessary, or until dismiased
by the governor and Provincial Council. Passing bills and im-
])ortant business were to be done by ballot. If the governor should
i)e an infant, his father by will might ajipoint three commission-
ers, one of whom might act as dejiuty governor ; and in ca«e of no
such appointment the Provincial Council might exercise that
authority.

This charter was followed, on the 15th of May, by the law.«5

Penn Founding his Government. 35

passed in England and intended to be presented to the General
Assembly of Pennsylvania at its first meeting. They confirmed
the Charter of Liberties, and defined who were freemen thus •
Every person who was an inhabitant and purchaser of one hun-
dred acres and upward, such privilege transferable to his heirs
and assigns; every one who paid his passage and took up one
hundred acres and paid one penny an acre quit-rent, and culti-
vated ten acres of it ; every one who had been a servant or bond-
man, and was free through service, that had taken up fifty acres and
cultivated twenty of it; every inhabitant, artificer, or other resi-
dent who paid scot-and-lot to the government, whetlier Swede,
Finn, or Dutch, recognizing "the iVlmighty and Eternal God to
be the Creator, Upholder, and Ruler of the world."

Elections were to be free. A bribe forfeited the vote and the
right of office of the one who offered it. Contributions could only
be raised by public tax according to laws made. Courts were to
be open, and free to every one to plead his own cause. Process
was to be regulated by complaint in court fourteen days before
trial, with summons ten days before. Pleadings to be short and
in English ; trials by juries of twelve men ; indictments by the
finding of a grand jury of twenty-four. Moderate legal fees were
provided for.

There was established a prison and workhouse in each county ;
bail for offences less than capital, and double damages for wrong
imprisonment. Lands and goods were liable to pay debts, except
where there was legal issue, and then all the goods and one-third
of the land only. Wills in writing with two witnesses were valid.
Seven years' quiet possession of lands gave right, except in the
case of infants, lunatics, married women, and persons beyond the
sea. Briberies and extortions were to be punished ; marriages
encouraged, parents or guardians first consulted. Charters, gifts,
conveyances of land, except leases for one year or under, and bills,
bonds, and specialties above five pounds payable in not less than
three months, were to be enrolled in county offices in a certain
time or else to be void. Defacers or corrupters of charters, deeds,
or other securities were to be punished. Births, marriages, burials,
wills, and letters of administration were to be registered. Servants
were to be registered, with their times of service, wages, and days
of payment. The lands and goods of felons were subject to make
double satisfaction to the party wronged, and in case of the want
of lands and goods the felons were to be bondmen, to work in
prison or workhouse, or otherwise, until the wronged party was
satisfied. Estates of traitors and murderers were to go one-third
to next of kin of the sufferer, and the remainder to next of kin
of the criminal. Witnesses were to be protected, and allowed to
testify upon their solemn promise to speak the truth. In case of
perjury the false witness was to suffer the same penalty or punish-
ment that would have been undergone by the persons against whom

36 Annals of Philadelphia.

the false testimony M^as ^iven. No person was allowed to enjo}*
more than one public office at the same time.

All children of twelve years of age were to learn a trade ; ser-
vants were to be discharged at the end of their time properly
equipped. The franchises of the Free Society of Traders were
confirmed. Breaches of trust were to be punished. Religious
liberty was guaranteed, and the Lord's Day made one of rest.
Besides the ordinary crimes, the following were to be punished :
lying, drinking of healths, prizes, stage-plays, cards, dice, May
games, masks, revels, bull-baitings, cock-fightings, and the like,
" which excite the people to rudeness, cruelty, looseness, and irre-
ligion."

These laws were to be hung up in the Provincial Council
chamber, the General Assembly, and courts of justice, and read
once a year. These laws were particular and precise, endeavor-
ing to reach to all the needs of a thriving community.

The office of surveyor of Pennsylvania was a very important
one, requiring a skilful and careful man. Penn first appointed
his cousin, William Crispin, a captain under Cromwell, who sailed
to America, but being prevented by contrary winds -from ascend-
ing the Delaware, the ship carried him to Barbadoes, where he
died. If Crispin had lived he was also to have been "chief-jus-
tice to keep y* seal, y® courts and sessions." Penn next ap-
pointed, on the 18th of April, 1682, Thomas Holme as surveyor-
general, and John Claypoole, son of James, as assistant. They
sailed on the 23d, in the "Amity," Captain P. Dimond, and with
them also Holme's two sons and two daughters, and Silas Crispin,
the son of William, Avho afterward married one of the daughters of
Holme and took up five hundred acres on the Pennepack Creek.
Thomas Holme also took up one thousand six hundred and forty-
six acres of land on the Pennepack, where Holmesburg now
stands. The school now bearing the name of the Thomas Holme
School, formerly knovyn as Lower Dublin Academy, is on three
acres of laud given by his heirs in lieu of a sum of money left in
his will.

By Holme, Penn sent a letter to the Indians, recommending
him to them, as he most probably would constantly be thrown in
contact with them, and breathing a spirit of peace and love, hop-
ing soon to be with them, and that his people will for ever remain
in peace with them.

Penn's long-cherished desire to visit his new country, which
had been retarded by the great press of business on iiim, was now
about to be gratified. Having sufficiently concluded his arrange-
ments, he took passage on board the ship " Welcome," Captain
Robert Greenaway, a vessel of about three hundred tons, near the
1st of Se])tember. With him sailed about one hundred emigrants,
of whom some thirty died before reaching their destination. The
voyage was long, and the smallpox broke out, many having taken

Perm's Arrival in America. 37

dick with it. In that frightful time Penn's courage and ability
were displayed, as he contributed not only to their necessities, but
"his good conversation was very advantageous to all the com-
pany." He left his wife and children in England, but wrote
them a beautiful letter of counsel and consolation, and sent also
a " Salutation to Friends in England."

The following is a list of those who sailed in the " Welcome"
with Penn, as far as it can be made out :

John Barber and Elizabeth his wife.

William Bradford, the first printer. This is doubted by some;
some say he came later.

William Buckman, Mary his wife, and children, Sarah and
Mary.

John Carver and Mary his wife.

Benjamin Chambers; was sheriff in 1683.

Thomas Chroasdale, his wife Agnes, and six children.

Ellen Cowgill and family.

John Fisher, his wife Margaret, and son John.

Thomas Fitzwater and sons Thomas and George. His wife
Mary and children Josiah and Mary died on the passage.

Thomtis Gillett.

Robert Greenaway, the master of the " Welcome."

Bartholomew Green.

Nathaniel Harrison.

Cuthbert Hayhurst, his wife and family.

Thomas Heriott ; died on board (?).

John Hey.

Richard Ingelo.

Isaac Ingram ; died on board (?).

Thomas Jones.

Giles Knight, his wife Mary, and son Joseph.

William Lushington.

Jeane Matthews.

Hannah Mogdridge.

Joshua Morris.

David Ogden.

Evan Oliver, his wife Jean, and children, David, Elizabeth,
John, Hannah, Mary, Evan, and Seaborn ; the last a daugh-
ter, born at sea October 24th, 1682, almost within sight of
the capes of Delaware.

Pearson ; most likely Robert, though it might have

been Thomas or Edward.

John Rowland and his wife Priscilla.

Thomas Rowland.

William Smith.

John Songhurst.

John Stackhouse and his wife Margery.

George Tliompson.

38 Annals of Philadelphia.

Rieluird Townsend, his wife Anne, daughter Hannah, and son

James born on the " Welcome" in Delaware River.
William Wade; died on board (?).

Thomas Walmesly, his wife Elizabeth, and six children.
Nicholas Wain.
Joseph Woodroofe.
Thomas Wrightsworth and wife.
Thomas Wynne, "chirurgeon."
Dennis Rochford and his wife Mary, the daughter of John

Heriott, another passenger ; also, two daughters of Mr. and

Mrs. Rochford, who died at sea.
John Dutton and his wife.
Philip Theodore Lehnman (or Lehman).

In addition to the above, and the names of those who came
over in vessels previously mentioned, the following were among
those who came over before the end of the year 1682 :
Richard Barnard.
John Beales (or Bales), who married Mary, the daughter of

William Clayton, Sr., in 1682.
John Blunston, his M'ife Sarah, and two children.
Michael Blunston.
Samuel Bradshaw.
Edward Carter and his son Robert.
John Churchman.

William Cobb, of Cobb's Creek fame.
Thomas Coburn, his wife Elizabeth, and their sons William

and Joseph.
Richard Crosby.
Elizabeth Fearne, widow, with her son Joshua and daughters

Elizabeth, Sarah, and Rebecca.
Richard Few.

Henry Gibbons, his wife Helen, and family.
John Goodson, Penn's commissioner.
John Hastings and his wife Elizabeth.
Joshua ITastings and his wife Elizabeth.
Thomas Hood.
Valentine Hollingsworth.
William Howell and his wife Margaret.
Elizabeth Humphrey, her son Benjamin and daughters Anne

and Gobitha.
Daniel Humphrey.

David James, his wife Margaret, and daughter Mary.
James Kenerly.

Henry Lewis, his wife Margaret, and family.
Mordecai ]\Iaddock.

Thomas Minshall and his wife Margaret.
Thomas Powell.
Caleb Pusey, his wife Ann, and his daughter Ann.

The Laying Out of the City. 39

Samuel Sellers.

John Simcock, Jr., and Jacob Simcock.

John Sharpies, Jane his wife, and his children Phoebe, John,

James, Caleb, Jane, and Jofeeph. Thomas, also on board,

died at sea in July. The family arrived at Upland in

August.
Christopher Taylor.
Peter Taylor and William Taylor.
Gabriel Thomas.
Tiiomas Usher.
Thomas Vernon.
Kobert Vernon.
Randall Vernon.
Ealph Withers.
George Wood, his wife Hannah, and his son George and other

children.
Richard Worrell or Worrall.
John Worrell.
Thomas Worth.

CHAPTER VII.

THE LAYING OUT OF THE CITY, 1682.

It will be necessary now to see what had been done under the
administration of Lieutenant-Governor Markham, who had ar-
rived in Philadelphia not far from the 1st of July, 1681 ; also
what had been done by the commissioners sent out by Penn, and
by Thomas Holme, surveyor-general, who had been kept very
busy in laying out the town and locating lots for purchasers.

Markham had an interview with Lord Baltimore at Upland,
at which he discovered that by the grant to Penn the land to
commence at twelve miles' distance northward from New Castle
would not embrace the Swedish settlements on tlie Delaware;
the error originated from a mistake as to the distance of the
fortieth degree of northern latitude from New Castle. Upland,
which was some distance above New Castle, is itself twelve miles
south of the fortieth degree of latitude. To gain possession of
what he supposed had already been granted him, Penn negotiated
with the duke of York, and succeeded in obtaining from him a
cession of all the duke's right and title in the lands granted by
the king ; a deed for New Castle and all the land lying about it
within a compass or circle of twelve miles ; and a deed for all
the tract of land on the Delaware River and Bay, beginning
twelve miles south of New Castle and extending to Cape Hen-
lopen, or Whorekills — the latter upon payment to the duke
yearly of one half of all the rents, issues, and profits. Thus

40 An7ials of Philadelphia.

Penn rested content, and was not disturbed as to his boundaries
until claims were afterward made by Lord Baltimore.

Markham not long after his arrival, in carrying out his in-
structions, selected nine men for a Provincial Council ; August
3d, 1681, it was organized. The new Upland court under the
Proprietary government met on the same day as the old one had
adjourned to — September 13th. The manner of proceeding was
changed, and jury trials were held. Governor ^larkham ])re-
sided at several after terms of this court, and on July 15, 1682, he
purchased for Penn a large tract of land from the Indians above
the falls of the Delaware, which included the present county of
Bucks, and where the Proprietary located his mansion of Penns-
bury. The laying out of the city with the commissioners Haige
(or Haigue), Allen, and Bezer also ke])t Markham busy during
the spring and summer of 1682. In this matter they were as-
sisted by Thomas Fairman, and Hollingsworth was one of the
assistant surveyors to Captain Thomas Holme. By a long ac-
count rendered to Penn by Thomas Fairman we learn that
Markham, Haige, Holme and his children, and Penn lived
a while with Fairman in his mansion ; the latter also af-
terward using it until the Letitia House was finished.* By
the fall of this year the surveys were sufficiently completed for
many lots to be drawn for, and the plan laid out was nearly in
accordance with the original drawing of Thomas Holme. The
original idea was to carry the city over the Schuylkill, but it was
abandoned, probably in 1684. The position of Centre Square
on Broad street was also changed ; the original idea of Penn
was to have it equidistant from both rivers, and to have the
market-, state-, meeting-, and school-houses there.

The names of the streets put down on the original plan were
also changed after Penn's arrival ; thus. Valley street, on ac-
count of its being in a ravine, became Vine street ; Songhurst
street (after John Songhurst) became Sassafras street, now called
Race street ; Holme street (after Thomas Holme) changed to
Mulberry street, now Arch street ; High street bore its name
until a recent period, when it popularly became Market street;
Wynne street (after Thomas Wynne), now Chestnut street ; Pool
street (as it crossed a pool at Dock Creek) became Walnut street ;
Dock street (because it ran down to the dock) became Spruce
street; Sixth street was originally Sumach street.

The distances from the Delaware and the Schuylkill to Broad
street were respectively 5088 feet, and Broad street 100 feet,
making a total of 10,276 feet between tiie two rivers, divideil
mostly into squares of 396 feet. The distance from Cedar (now

* By the record of Friends, November, 1682, we observe, "Thomas Fairman,
at the request of the governor, removed liiniself and family to Tacony, wliere
there was also a meeting appointed to be kept, and the ancient meeting of Shak-
amaxon removed to Philadelphia."

The Laying Out of the City. 41

South) street to Vine street, the original boundaries of the city,
was 5253 feet, divided thus: from Cedar to Pine, 652; to Spruce,
468; to Walnut, 821; to Chestnut, 510; to Market, 497; to
Arch, 663; to Race, 614; to Vine, 612; and five streets of 50
feet eacli = 250 feet ; Market street, 100 feet, and Arch street,
66 feet. Thus, the city extended, as Holme officially declared,
two miles from east to west, and one mile from north to south.
It contained an area of nearly two square miles, or 1280 acres,
instead of 10,000, as originally proposed by Penn. Of course,
the first purchasers did not get their ten acres of city lots for
every five hundred in the country, but got their two per cent, of
the city and Northern Liberties combined, as a large tract was
laid out and called the Liberties. Penn in his original instruc-
tions had suggested this might be the case.

Holme says of his plan : " In the centre of the city is a square
of ten acres ; at each angle are to be houses for publick affairs,
as a Meeting House, Assembly or State House, Market House,
School House, and severall other buiklings for publick concerns.
There are also in each quarter of y" city a square of eight acres
to be for the like uses as the Moorfields in London, and eight
streets besides the High street that run from front to front,
and twenty streets besides the Broad street that run across
the city from side to side; all these streets are fifty foot in
breadth."

As most of the houses were built ou the river-bank, and to-
ward the southern side of the city, and as the Schuylkill never
became the river of commerce that Penn expected. Centre Square
was too far from the dwellings for the public buildings, and they
were therefore never erected there. A meeting-house was after-
ward erected near there, but as it was too far out of town, it be-
came disused, was suffered to decay, and was torn down.

The founders of the city built on Front street mostly, as the
view from the Bank, then high above the river, was very attrac-
tive. The following are some of the earliest names between
Cedar and Vine streets on Front street : William Penn, Jr., Free
Society of Traders, James Boyden, Francis Borrough, Robert
Knight, John Reynolds, Humphrey South, Sabain Cole, Thomas
Baker, James Claypoole, Alexander Parker, Robert Greenway,
Samuel Carpenter, Charles Taylor, John Love, Nathaniel Allen,
Edward Jefferson, Charles Pickering, Thomas Bearne, John
Willard, Letitia Penn, William Bowman, Griffith Jones, Thomas
Holme, John Barber, George Palmer, John Sharpies, Francis
Plumsted, William Taylor. On the west side of Second street
were — John Moon, Andrew Griscomb, Johu Fisher, Isaac Mar-
tin, William Carter, John Southworth, Richard Inglion. On
Walnut street, Nehemiah Mitchell, Thomas Jones, William Tan-
ner, Edward Blake. On Chestnut street, Thomas Rouse, David
Brint, Richard Townsend. On Arch street, Thomas Barry,

42 Annals of FhUadelphia.

George Randall. On the Schuylkill was but one house, Jacob
and Joseph Fuller's.

CHAPTER YIII.

PENN'S MANAGEMENT OF AFFAIRS UNTIL HIS DEPARTURE, 1682-1684.

On the next day after the arrival of Penn at New Castle (Oc-
tober 27th, 1682) he was put in possession of the town and fort
and twelve miles' circle of land by the attorneys of the duke of
York, and the inhabitants pledged in writing their submission
and obedience to his government. Six justices were appointed,
and Xovember 2d was set down for the session of the court; at
which were present, Penn, Markham, Holme, Haige, Symcock,
and Brassie of the Council, and the justices. Penn made a speech,
giving the terms of his purchase and hints for the future conduct
of the settlement.

Two days after his arrival he proceeded up the river, stopping
at Upland, and as he lay in the stream is reported to have turned
to his friend Pearson and said, " Providence has brought us here
safe : thou hast been companion of my perils. What wilt thou
that I shall call this place ?" Pearson answered *' Chester," in
remembrance of the city whence he came. Penn replied it should
be so called, and that he would give one of his new counties the
same name.

In a few days he sailed u{> to the new city, and landed from a
boat at the mouth of Dock Creek, Avhere George Guest had built
a house, and which was long known afterward as the Blue An-
chor Tavern. The first printed record of his being in the city is
found in the records of the Society of Friends : " At a monthly
meeting the 8th of 9th month [November], 1682. At this time
Governor William Penn and a multitude of Friends arrived here
and erected a city, called Philadelphia, about half a mile from
Shakamaxon, where meetings, etc. were established."

It will be observed that this is also the first time the name of the
city, " Philadelphia," appears. When or why the name was given
has been variously stated. His acquaintance with the Scriptures,
and the definition of the word, " brotherly love," had perhaps the
most effect in recommending it to him.

Penn sent two persons to Lord Baltimore in November " to
ask of his health, offer kind neighborhood, and agree upon the
better to establish it." In the mean while he went to New York
to visit the governor and colony there belonging to the duke of
York, perhaps ])artly to fulfil a duty to his friend the duke, to
inform him through an eye-witness of its progress, aj)|)earance,
etc., and partly to see the country for himself, his former charge
of the estate in New Jersey creating an additional interest. He

Penri's Management of Affairs until his Departure. 43

probably returned before Captain Greenavvay, M'ho had discharged
his cargo, sailed for England. He was known to have been at
Upland on the 29th. And about this time he laid out three
counties — Chester, Philadelphia, and Bucks. Undoubtedly, he
was very busy, visiting different parts of the country, conferring
with officers and citizens, visiting the Indians, and making and
ratifying treaties with them, thus thoroughly informing himself,
that he might send home true and intelligent word of the state
of the country, its aftairs and prospects, and ordering things that
would be needed.

At this time also it has been supposed was made a great treaty
with the Indians, and tradition says under the Great Elm at
Shakamaxon. Certainly, with tradition in its favor, some re-
marks in his own letters, and the natural desire between himself
and the Indians to come together at the earliest moment, it may
be supposed such an occurrence at this time should happen. In
all his previous arrangements the Indians were constantly thought
of, and even addressed. His own coming was several times al-
luded to, when he said he would be with them personally. Ben-
jamin West in his great painting of the Treaty, and Birch in his
admirable engraving, have permanently fixed in the public mind
the facts of the traditions of the particular tree, the names of the
Indian chiefs and other parties present, articles of dress worn, etc.
The style of costume in which West painted Penn is absurd, as
it was not worn for many years after, nor is Penn represented
as sufficiently young, he being then an athletic young man of
thirty-eight.

Penn in a letter of August, 1683, alludes to several meetings
held for treaties with the Indians ; describes their style and ac-
tions ; alludes to the Indians apologizing that they had not com-
plied with him the last time; praising their wit in "any treaty
about a thing they understand ;" and describes the strong terms
of love and friendship the Indians used ; and concludes, the
chiefs did '* command them to love the Christians, and particu-
larly to live in peace with me and the people under my govern-
ment ; that many governors had been in the river, but that no
governor had come himself to live and stay here before ; and
having now such an one that had treated them well, they
would never do him or his any wrong." (See Watson, Vol. I.
p. 134 ef seq. ; also pp. 104, 105 of this volume.)

In 1682 arrived twenty-three vessels, most of them with immi-
grants, many of whom were Quakers. The j^rovident character
of these taught them to bring many of the necessaries of life ;
many had money, and while some sought shelter in New Castle,
Upland, or Burlington, the majority as rapidly as possible took
up land and erected log houses in the new city. Some lived
temporarily in caves in the Bank until their houses were erected.
Of course, many privations had to be endured in such a «ew

44 Annals of Philadelphia.

country, but they were free from persecution for their opinions.
Fortunately, provisions were plentiful and cheap.

The first legislature of Pennsylvania met in General Assembly
at Chester on the 4th of December, and consisted of delegates
from Bucks, Philadelj)hia, and Chester counties. The session
lasted three days, and there were passed an act of union, annexing
the three lower counties, Newcastle, Jones, and Whorekill (after-
ward Kent and Sussex), to the Province, and naturalizing the
Dutch, Swedes, and other foreigners ; and the Great Law, a general
system of jurisprudence in sixty-nine chapters, embracing most
of the laws previously agreed upon in England. The " for-
eigners" gladly welcomed the new rule as being just. The days
of the week and names of the month were to be called by tie
first, second, etc., beginning with Sunday and March.

After the session of the legislature was closed, Penn met Lord
Baltimore at West River, and held a conference with him about
their boundaries. Also in December he " cast the country into
townships for large lots of land.'' He appointed sheriffs and
officers for each county, issued writs for the election of members
of the Provincial Council, and directed the sheriffs to notify all
the freemen of their right to appear in the Assembly. But the
freemen of the six counties (three for Pennsylvania — Phila-
delphia, Bucks, and Chester — and the "three loMer counties"
afterward constituting Delaware) preferred to send twelve mem-
bers from each to represent them — three for the Council and
nine for the Assembly — or eighteen for the Council and fifty-four
for the Assembly ; in all, seventy-two. The Council met at
Philadelphia on the 10th of 1st month [March], 1683, and the
Assembly was met by Penn two days afterward.*

Amongst the most important business done was the ordering
of seals for the counties — for Philadelphia, an anchor; for
Bucks, a tree and vine ; for Chester, a plough ; for New Castle,

* Whether Penn's Council met in tlie nnfinished lionse of George Giiest, near
the Bhie Anchor, and the first Asscnil)ly of Pennsylvania met in the Swedes'
C'iinrch,«as the only bnildins: larjie enough to hold fifty-fonr men, is nnknown.
But the next ('ouncil, and those for many years after, met in "Penn's Coitage"
in Letitia Court, which was finished in the fall of IGSo, thus estahlishing a pre-
cedent of meeting at tlie governor's residence, which practice was continued until
thev removed to the State House in 1747.

The Assembly for years wandered from place to place for their meetings.
Sliortly after Penn's arrival a rough l-'riends' meeting-house was built, and after-
ward in the same vicinity, in l-'ront street above Arch, the " Bank Meeting-
Ilouse," where the Assend)ly met for twelve yeai-s. In 1G95 they met in Whit-
I)ain's big house, in Front between Walnut and Spruce, and the next year in the
"Carpenter" mansicm or " Slate- Roof House." In 1701 they returned to Whit-
pain's mansion. After the new charter extorte<l from Penn in 1701, and the
Council was no longer a part of the legislature, the number of members of the
Assembly was reduced — first, by the secession of the representatives of the three
lower counties, or Delaware; and second, by the terms of the charter — to twelve,
though shortly after raised to twenty-six members. They then occupied Makin's
Bchoolliouse, and afterward private dwellings. In 1728 tliey resolved to build a
State House for their sessions, which finally took shape.

Penri's Management of Affairs until his Departure. 45

a castle; for Kent, three ears of corn ; for Sussex, a wheatsheaf ;
and the adoption of a new charter or " Frame of Government."
By this the Council was reduced to eighteen and the Assembly to
thirty-six members, though they might be increased to seventy-
two and two hundred. This charter continued in force till 1696,
but both were superseded by the " Charter of Privileges " of
1701.

It seems odd at this day that the Assembly and Council should
have had cognizance of so many minor matters, some of which
seem very ludicrous. One Anthony Weston having presented a
paper which was deemed disrespectful to the Council, he was
whipped in the market-place three days, ten lashes each day.
William Clayton was ordered to build" "a cage 7 foot high, 7 foot
long, and 5 foot broad " for evil-doers. A law was proposed " to
incourage making Linnen cloth ;" another for wearing two sorts
of '*cloaths" only, for winter and summer wear; another for
" Young Men's Marrieing at or before a certain age ;" another for
" Makeing of severall sorts of Books;" another for "Persons
that put water into Rum ;" a case was also tried before the Coun-
cil of two women for witchcraft.

In January, 1683, the Grand Jury made a presentment that
" the swamps at the Blue Anchor be made passable for footmen ;
that Coquenakur Creek [Pegg's Pun], at the north end of the
city, be also made passable for footmen ; that the bridge called the
Coanxen [Cohocksink], going to Shakamaxon, be bridged ; that
the bridge at Tankanner [Tacony or Frankford Creek] be bridged
or cannowed; that the King's road from Sculkill through Phila-
delphia to Neshaminey Creek may be marked out and made pass-
able for horses and carts, where needful, and to ascertain, with
Chester and Bucks, where to fix the ferries of those creeks ; and
the want of a county court house." Also, against stumps in the
streets ; against ships firing guns on First Day ; the want of rings
for the snouts of swine, etc.

During the summer of this year Penn made large additional
purchases from the Indians of lands between the Pennypack and
Neshaminey ; from Wingebone all the lands on the west side of
the Schuylkill, from the first falls along the river and as far back
as his title went ; from others all the lands between Manaiunk
alias Schulkill and Macoponackhan alias Chester River, begin-
ning at the west side of Manaiunk called Conshohocken, from
thence by a westerly line into the said river Macoponackhan ; and
from others the lands on the Manaiunk so far as the hill called
Conshohockin, and thence in a north-west line to the river of Pen-
napecka.

Penn was also busy this summer in making a visit to the inte-
rior of the State, which he speaks of as being a pleasant tour, and
in building a very fine mansion of brick, sixty feet long, with
carved doors and windows and ornamental brick, all brouglit from

46 Annals of Philadelphia.

England. It was two stories high, with a large porch and steps.
It had on the first floor a large room for an audience-hall, Avhere
he met the Indians, strangers, and his Council; a little hall and
three parlors, all wainscoted and communicating by folding-doors.
In addition to the main building, there were a brew-house, a bake-
house, a kitchen and larder, a wash-house, and a stable for twelve
horses; all a story and a half high and fronting the river, on a
line with the mansion. From the landing to the house was a row
of poplars; there was a lawn and gardens, well planted with trees
and shrubs brought by him from England. He called this coun-
try residence Pennsbury ; it was situated in a manor of six thou-
sand acres, called by the Indians Sepessing, about four miles above
Bristol, with a river- front of two miles. Though the house has
long since disappeared, the title of" Penn's Manor" is retained.

The appearance of the country at this time is described by Penn
in a letter to the Free Traders at home in a very attractive man-
ner. After alluding to the many inventions concerning him in
England, ])articularly that he had died a Jesuit, he alludes to the
love and respect and universal kind welcome he met with in this
country. He then describes the soil, air, water, seasons, and pro-
duce, the fish, animals, etc. Amongst the latter he mentions the
elk as big as an ox, and among fowls the turkey forty and fifty
pounds in weight. Of horses there was such a plenty that they
shij)ped them to Barbadoes ; and also plenty of cattle and some
sheep. He said : " The Dutch inhabit mostly those parts of the
Province that lie upon or near the bay, and the Swedes the freshes

of the river Delaware The Dutch have a meeting-place at

New Castle ; and the Swedes three — one at Christina, one at Tene-
cum, and one at Wicoco, within half a mile of this town.

''The country lieth bounded on the east by the river and bay
of Delaware and Eastern Sea. It hath the advantage of many
creeks, or rivers rather, that run into the main river or bay. . . .
Those of most eminency are Christina, Brandywine, Skilpot, and

Sculkill The lesser creeks or rivers are Lewis, Mespillon,

Cedar, Dover, Cranbrook, Feversham, and Georges, below ; and
Chichester, Chester, Toacawny, Pammapecka, Portquessin, Neshi-
menck, and Pennberry, in the freshes ; and manv lesser.

" The ])lantcd ])art of the Province and territories Ls cast into
six counties — Pliiladclj)hia, Buckinghnm, Chester, New Castle,
Kent, and Sussex — containing about four thousand souls.

"Philadelphia, the expectation of those that are concerned in

this Province, is at last laid out The situation is a neck of

land, and lieth between two navigable rivers It has advanced

within less than a year to about fourscore houses and cottages, such
as thev are, where merchants and handicrafts are following their
vocations as fast as they can, m hile the countrymen are close at
their farms.

"Your city lot is a whole street and one side of a street from

Penn^s Management of Affairs until his Departure. 47

river to river, containing near an hundred acres, not easily valued,
which is, besides your one hundred acres in the city liberties, part
of your twenty thousand acres in the country."

A post was established to Maryland this year (in July, 1683).
Henry Waldy of Tekonay had authority to run one, and supply
passengers with horses from Philadelphia to New Castle or the
Falls. The rates of postage were — letters from the Falls to
Philadelphia, od. ; to Chester, 5^/. ; to New Castle, 7d. ; to Mary-
land, 9d. From Philadelphia to Chester, 2d. ; to New Castle,
4c?. ; to Maryland, 6d. It went once a week, notice having been
])laced on the meeting-house door and at other public places.
Communication was frequent with Manhattan or New York, the
road starting on the eastern side of the Delaware at about Bor-
dentown. New Jersey.

On account of claims pressed upon Penn and upon the home
government by Lord Baltimore, Penn sent Lieutenant-Governor
William Markham to England to have the matter settled by the
Lords of Plantations, and to have the boundaries of the two prov-
inces more clearly defined. Penn wrote a letter to them (July
14th, 1683), detailing the whole dispute, with the arguments
against Lord Baltimore's claim. The trouble arose from the
imperfect knowledge of the geography of the country at the time
the two grants were made.

Lord Baltimore claimed all the land upon the Delaware up to
the 40th degree of latitude, which would have taken in the city
as far as the present Port Richmond. His grant from Charles
II. of 1632 gave him " unto that part of Delaware Bay on the
north which lieth under the fortieth degree of northerly latitude"
....*' in certain parts of America not yet cultivated and planted,
though in some parts thereof inhabited by a certain barbarous
people having no knowledge of Almighty God." The Dutch
had been settled here before 1632, as early as 1623, and after-
ward the Swedes. Though claims had been made by Baltimore
against the Dutch, he had not disturbed the authority of the
duke of York.

Penn's patent in 1681 gave him the land "from twelve miles
northward of New Castle town unto the three-and-fortieth degree
of northern latitude," . . . "and on the south by a circle drawn
at twelve miles' distance from New Castle town northward and
westward, unto the beginning of the fortieth degree of northern
latitude." The fortieth degree was evidently intended to be the
northern limit of Maryland, and, as evident by the patent of Penn,
supposed to be twelve miles north of New Castle.

In September, 1683, Baltimore sent Colonel George Talbot to
demand of Penn all the land south of the fortieth degree. Penn
being in New York, his deputy, Nicholas More, delayed answer
till Penn's reply in October. Talbot then made, with armed men,
demand upon owners and renters in the Lower Counties for obedi-

48 Annah of Philadelphia.

once and rent to Baltimore. Lord Baltimore himself addressed
a petition to the king that no iurther grants should be made to
Penn until he should be heard as to his rights; it, as well as
Penn's petition, was investigated by the Lords of Plantations.

At the next session of the Assembly at New Castle (in May,
1684) these disputes were brought before them. At this session
the following measures were under discussion : to license tavern-
keepers; to preserve the life and person of the governor from
treasonable designs ; a bill of excise for support of the govern-
ment. It was determined to create a provincial court with five
judges "to try all criminalls and titles to land, and to be a court
of equity to decide all differences upon appeals from country
courts."

In July, 1684, the project of making a borough of Philadel-
phia was again revived. Thomas Lloyd, Thomas Holme, and
William Haige were appointed to draw up a charter providing
for a mayor and six aldermen, with power to call to their assist-
ance any of the Council.

The time had now arrived when Penn felt desirous, for various
reasons, of returning to England. He had been hard at work lay-
ing out the city, establishing the government, making sales and per-
fecting titles of land, visiting different parts of Pennsylvania and
the adjoining country, laying out counties and subdividing them
into townships and manors, making treaties with and purchases
of the Indians, starting various industries, building houses, and
attending to many other matters necessary ; so that the twenty-
two months spent in this country were very busy ones. He thus
had got matters into such shape that he felt the more able and
willing to return for a short time — as he supposed it would be — to
England to look after his interests in the grants of land given to
him, which were now being assailed by other parties as well as
Lord Baltimore, and to endeavor to rejiair his fortunes, which, not-
withstanding his sales, rents, and receipts, were, on account of the
heavy expenses he had been under, now much impaired and en-
croached upon. His long absence from his family, to a man of
his nature, must have been also a powerful motive ibr leaving his
colony. The visit was intended to be of short duration, but
events thickened around him so upon reaching England that
his second visit to this country was delayed for seventeen years.

To provide for the administration of the government during
his absence, he authorized the Provincial Council to exercise the
executive power in his stead, and commissioned their president,
Thomas Lloyd, as keeper of the Great Seal ; Nicholas ^lore, Wil-
liam Welch, William Wood, Robert Turner, and John Eckley
provincial judges for two years ; Thomas Lloyd, James Claypoole,
and Robert Turner to sign patents and grant warrants as com-
missioners of the land otfice ; William Markham was secretary
of tbc Province, and Thomas Holme surveyor-general.

The Government under Thomas Lloyd. 49

Having arranged matters to his satisfaction, he sailed in the
ketch "Endeavor" on the 12th of August, 1684, and stopped at
Sussex and held a council there. He addressed a farewell letter
from on board the vessel to his friends Thomas Lloyd, James
Claypoole, J. Simcock, Charles Taylor, and J. Harrison, to be
communicated in meetings, breathing sentiments of friendship
and true piety. In this letter occurs the sentence — " And thou,
Philadelphia, the virgin settlement of this Province — named be-
fore thou wert born — what love, what care, what service, and
what travail has there been to bring thee forth, and preserve thee
from such as would abuse and defile thee !"

Penn, after a pleasant voyage of seven weeks, landed within
seven miles of his own residence, at Worminghurst.

CHAPTER IX.

PENN ABSENT IN ENGLAND; THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THOMAS
LLOYD, 1684-1688.

When Penn left Philadelphia the management of the Prov-
ince was deputed to the Council and Thomas Lloyd, who was
president of it as well as acting governor. The first session was
held at New Castle in August, 1684. It issued commissions as
justices to William Clayton, Pobert Turner, and Francis Daniel
Pastorius. By the minutes we find it regulating a lerry across
the Schuylkill at High street ; rearranging the boundaries of
several of the counties ; making, purchases from the Indians ;
establishing the first watchmen ; regulating tavern licenses ; and
clearing out, according to orders from Penn, the caves in the
river-bank, which had become a nuisance from the character of
the people living in them.

In May of this year news was received of the death of Charles
II. and the accession of James II. The latter was publicly pro-
claimed— '^ to whom wee acknowledge faithfull and constant obe-
dience, heartily wishing him a ha])py Raign in health, peace, and
Prosperity, and so God save the King."

In August, Major Dyer and his deputy " sercher and waiter,"
Christopher Snowden, arrived with a commission from the king
as collector of customs.

Dissensions sprang up between the rival authorities, and
Nicholas More, the chief-justice, was accused of malpractices
and misdemeanors in office. The Assembly drew uj) articles
of impeachment, and requested the Council to remove him from
office. The Council treated the matter coldly, but ordered him
to desist from acting in any place of authority or judicature.
His clerk, Patrick Robinson, refused to produce the records of
the court. The Council decided he could not be removed until
Vol. IIL— D 6

60 Annals of Philadelphia.

convicted, but after such conviction he should bo dismissed from
any office of trust. Pcnn was much grieved at these dissensions,
and named several to endeavor to make peace, as it was, besides
preventing emigration, bringing reproach on the Friends, though
neither More nor liobinson were members of the Society. !Not-
withstanding these quarrels, Penn appointed More one of the
commissioners of government, which office he held until his
death ; Robinson also continued to hold office.

In the mean time, Penn in England was prosecuting his claims
against Lord Baltimore, and with success, as the Lords of Plan-
tations, "after three full hearings," decided against Lord Balti-
more, and " he was cast, and the lands of Delaware declared to
be not within his patent," because before his grant they Avere in-
habited by Christians, his grant including only those that were
inhabited by savages. The line w'as therefore decided to be one
drawn from the latitude of Cape Henlopen to the fortieth degree
'of north latitude; and that one half of this tract of land, lying
between the Delaware River and Bay and the Eastern Sea on one
side and Chesapeake Bay on the other, should belong to King
James, under whom, as duke of York, Penn was grantee, and
the other half south of that line to Lord Baltimore. The lord
objected for years to this decision, but the final settlement of the
dispute was made by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, who
defined the boundaries between Pennsylvania and Maryland in
the line famous as " Mason and Dixon's line."

Penn, being thus firmly fixed in his possessions, published
another pamphlet describing the merits and advantages to pur-
chasers and settlers. With his usual shrewdness he omits no
attractive particulars, yet with his firm honesty he advises them
to " be moderate in Expectation, Count no Labor before a Crop,
and Cost before Gain."

He stated that ninety ships with passengers since the beginning
of 1682 to the end of 1685 had sailed, and arrived safely, and
estimated them, at eighty passengers to each vessel, to amount to
seven thousand two hundred persons, Avhich added to a thousand
there before, and other accretions from other settlements, and
births, would probably swell the amount to about ten thousand
persons. These were composed of " French, Dutch, Germans,
Sweeds, Danes, Finns, Scotch, Irish, and English ; and of the
last equal to all the rest."

He described Piiiladel|)hia, "our intended Metropolis," as two
miles long and a mile broad, "with High and Broad streets of one
hundred feet in breadth, and eight streets ]iarallel Avith High
street, and twenty cross streets parallel with Broad street, all of
fifty feet breadth. The names of those streets are mostly taken
from the things that spontaneously grow in the country; as
Vine, Mulberry, Chesnut, Wallnut, Strawberry, Cranberry,
Plumb, Hickery, Pine, Oake, Beach, Ash, Popler, Sassafrax,

The Government under Thomas Lloyd. 51

and the like." Many of these names are still preserved, but
not applied to streets in the same position as those of Penn's
time.

In the first ten months after his arrival fourscore houses had
been erected, and up to the time of his coming away, which
was about a year more, " the Town advanced to three hundred
and fifty-seven houses; divers of them large, well built, with
good cellars, three stories, and some with Belconies.'^ ....
" There is also a fair Key of about three hundred foot square,
built by Samuel Carpenter, to which a ship of five hundred
Tuns may lay her broadside, and others intend to follow his
example. We have also a llopewalk made by B. [Benjamin]
Wilcox." This ropewalk was on the north side of Vine, above
Front street, and gave the name to Cable Lane, a street running
north, afterward called New Market street, and the northern
portion of it Budd street.

He stated, also, that nearly every useful trade was represented ;
that there were two markets every week and two fairs every year ;
seven ordinaries, where a good meal could be had for sixpence;
"after nine at night the officers go the rounds" and empty the
bars of " Publick Houses;." some vessels had been built, and
many boats; divers Brickeries going on; convenient mills; and,
with their " Garden Plats," " Fish of the river, and their labor,"
the countryman " lives comfortably."

"The advance of Value upon every man's Lot .... the worst
. . . . without any improvement upon it, is worth four times more
than it was when it was lay'd out, and the best forty."

He describes the country settlements of townships or villages,
each of five thousand acres in square, and of ten families, one
family to each five hundred acres; the village in the centre, the
houses either opposite or opposite to the middle betwixt two houses
over the way, for near neighborhood. Before the doors of the
houses lies the highway, with his land running back from it. Be-
fore he left he had settled fifty, and visited many of them, and
found many farms with substantial improvements.

His accounts of the " Produce of the Earth, of our Waters, and
of Provision in Generall," were most glowing, showing great
plenty and consequent cheapness. Grain produced from thirty-
to sixty-fold ; the land required less seed ; all the corn and roots
of England would grow, including the Spanish potato, which we
now call the sweet potato ; cattle were fed easily ; grass-seed would
grow as well as at home; as also all English fruits, as well as
peaches, melons, and grapes.

Of the fish, " mighty Whales roll upon the coast, near the mouth
of the Bay of Delaware;" sturgeon play continually and plenti-
fully, and are much liked; "Allocs, as they call them in France,
the tlews Allice, and our ignorants Shads, are excellent fish and
of the bigness of our largest Car[)," and " so plentiful ;" " Rock

52 Annals of Philadelphia.

are somewhat rounder and larger, also a -whiter fish," " often bar-
relled like Cod;" the sheepsliead, the drum, and lesser fish; and
the herring, "they almost shovel them up in their tubs;" also
" Oysters, Cockles, Cunks (?), Crabs, Mussels, and Mannanoes" (?).

Provisions were so plenty marketers -would frequently carry
back their produce; beef, twopence ; pork, twopence halfpenny;
veal and mutton, threepence per pound; wheat, four shillings;
rye, three ; barley, two and sixpence ; corn, two and six ; and oats,
two shillings per bushel ; and some fiirmers have from twenty to
fifty acres in corn. Stock Avas increasing fast; a good cow and
calf was worth three pounds, a pair of oxen eight pounds, and a
breeding mare five pounds. Fish, six shad or rocks, were M'orth
twelve pence, salt fish three farthings a pound, and oysters at two
shillings per bushel — the shilling sterling rating at fifteen pence
in this country.

For drink they had beer of molasses well boiled with sassafras
or spruce })ine in it, and punch of rum and water ; and a little
later William Frampton, " an able man," established the first malt
brewery, on Front street between Walnut and Spruce streets.

For trading they had wine, linen, hemp, potashes, whale oil,
provisions for the West Indies, lumber, sturgeon, tobacco, furs
and skins, and iron.

Of the Indians he says: "We have lived in great friendship.
I have made seven purchases, and in Pay and Presents they have
received at least Twelve hundred pounds of me."

To the adventurers he mentions the time of passage, from one
to four months, though the usual passage was from four to nine
weeks, according to wind and weather.

Penn also quotes a letter from Robert Turner, which gives
many interesting particulars. He says : " There are about six
hundred houses in tl*ee years' time; his was the first brick house
(west side of Front, below Arch); bricks were as cheap as timber,
sixteen shillings per thousand," He mentions among the first to
follow his example Arthur Cook, on Front, east side below Wal-
nut ; William Frampton, a house, brew-house, and bake-house,
of brick, on Front, east side below Walnut ; John Wheeler, from
New England, on Front, west side below \\'alnut, by the Blue
Anchor; Samuel Carpenter, Front, west side above Walnut ; John
Test, north-east corner of Third and Chestnut ; Nathaniel Allen,
Front, west side above Chestnut, next to Thomas Wynne's; John
Day, a good house after the London fashion, of brick, with large
front shop-windows. Front, west side between Arch and Pace ;
Humphrey Murray, from New York, a large timber-house, with
brick chimneys, liobert Turner himself built another brick house
by his own on Front street, west side, below Arch, of " three large
stories high, besides a good large brick cellar under it, of two
bricks and a half thickness in the wall, and the next story half
under ground; the cellar hath an Arched Door (for a Vault to go

The Government under Thomas Lloyd. 53

under the street) to the River, and so to bring in goods or deliver
out."

He adds: "Thomas Smith and Daniel Pege are partners, and
set to making of Brick this year, and they are very good ; also,
Pastorus, the German Friend, Agent for the Company at Frank-
ford, with his Dutch People, are preparing to make Brick next
year. Samuel Carpenter is our Lime-burner on this Wharf.
Brave Limestone found here, as the Workmen say, being proved.
We buikl most houses with Belconies. Lots are much desir'd in
the Town, great buying one of another. We are now laying tiie
foundation of a large plain Brick house, for a Meeting House, in
the center (sixty foot long and about forty foot broad), and hope
to have it soon up, many hearts and hands at Work that will do
it. A large Meeting House, fifty foot long and thirty-eight foot
broad, also going up, on the front of the River, for an evening
Meeting, the work going on apace." This was afterward known
as the Bank Meeting-House, and was on Front street between
Race and Vine.

About the same time as the appearance of Penn's pamphlet,
Thomas Budd, a Friend, who built " Budd's Row" of houses
near the Blue Anchor, corroborated the statements of Penn in a
work he published in London in 1685, entitled " Good Order
Established in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, in America, being
a True Account of the country, with its Produce and Commodi-
ties there made, by Thomas Budd." This rare book was re-
printed by Mr. Gowans of New York, with ample notes by the
late Edward Armstrong. Like Penn, he speaks of the many
and varied products, but he goes farther and makes many
valuable suggestions for trade and educational improvement.
Amongst others, he suggests the manufacture of wines, beer, ale,
and rum, which with flour and biscuit, pork and bacon, and
horses, he suggested should be sent to Barbadoes to make export
trade, and receiving back, among other articles, cotton toool, to 1^
manufactured here. His ideas for public schools, storage-houses,
banks, and public granaries were excellent, though far ahead of
his time ; many of them were subsequently ado]ited.

The stoimge-house^ were for storing flax, hemp, and linen
cloth ; certificates of deposit were to be issued which would pass
current as money. The schools were to be established and main-
tained at public expense, the rent or income of one thousand
acres for each school to help defray the expenses. Two hours in
the morning were to be devoted to study, two to Avork, two to
dine and for recreation ; two hours of the afternoon for study and
two for work. The work to consist of learning some useful trade
by the boys, and spinning, knitting, sewing, making straw-work,
and other useful arts by the girls. The bank was to loan money,
on mortgage or pledges of houses and lands, at eight per cent. ;
to be an office of registry for all bills and bonds, whicli should

54 Annals of Philadelphia.

he transferable by assiujnment, and for houses and lands. At
tliis time there were no hanks known for loan or circulation, nor
was even the Bank of England in existence ; nor was there any
system of registry known, the purchaser depending only on the
title-deeds. The public granaries were for storing grain, so that
destruction or damages by rats and mice should be ])revented.
Negotiable certificates of deposit were to be issued. "JMie cost of
storing, sixpence per annum for the quarter of eight bushels.

In 1686 the Assembly met 10th day 3d mo. (May) in the
Bank Meeting- House, in Front street between E-ace and Vine
streets, and the Council most probably in the " Letitia House,"
in Market street above Front. (For a description of these two
houses see the latter ])art of this volume.) No business of great
importance was transacted; the quarrels about More and Robin-
son still continued, evoking from Penn complaining letters, in
which he claims the damage to himself was ten thousand pounds,
and to the country one hundred thousand pounds and the loss of
hundreds of emigrants.

William Bradford, the first printer in the colony, was brought
before the Council, together with Samuel Atkyns, for issuing an
almanac in M'hich were the words " iorfZ Penn." Atkyns was
ordered to " blot out y^ M'ords," and Bradford " not to print any-
tiiing but what shall have lycence from y® Council." As this
was the first pamphlet printed in this city, we give some notice
of the first ])rinter :

William Bradford came to this country with a recommendation
from George Fox, as one " convinced of the truth " as known to
Friends. He brought with him type, a press, printing paper,
and ink, intending, as Fox wrote, "to set up the trade of print-
ing Friends' books," or, as he himself states in the Almanac, ''to
])rint blank Bills, Bonds, Letters of Attorney, Indentures, War-
rants, etc., and what else presents itself." He was accompanied
by a young wife, the daughter of Andrew Sowle, ])rinter, of
Shoreditch. The pamphlet of twenty pages was intended to sup-
j)ly " the people generally, complaining that they scarcely knew
iiow the time passed, nor that they hardly knew the Day of
Rest." The printer apologizes for the " irregularities," " for,
being lately come hither, my materials Avere misplaced and out
of order, whereupon I was forced to use Figures and Letters of
various sizes."

The sheriff was empowered to act as prosecuting attorney, but
in April the authority was revoked, and also declared that no
clerk of a court should })lead in that court.

In February the caves were ordered to be removed from before
William Framjiton's door, in order that he might build a wharf.
And in November it was ordered that the surveyers should meet
and lay out a road from "y*" broad street in Philadelphia" to the
Falls of Delaware. This important road, which was the king's

The Government under Thomas Lloyd. 55

road to New York by way. of " the falls " at Trenton, was made
by piecemeal at various times, and as late as 1700 was ordered
to be cut and cleared of trees and stumps, and be made commo-
dious and easy ; it went out Front street by way of Frankford,
Bristol, etc. and not from Broad street.

In 1687 other roads were made — one to Plymouth, and two
from Schuylkill ferry to Darby and to Radnor — and " that ne-
cessary public roads be everywhere set forth and duly main-
tained." Buoys were to be erected ; pirates were to be arrested
and detained until the royal pleasure was known as to the dis-
position of them ; the king's moiety of all riches and treasure
taken from the sea was to be secured to him. Penn issued a
proclamation against trespassers on his lands for timber, he hav-
ing before his departure appointed a woodsman to collect 6d. for
each tree cut. A prison, larger than "the cage" built in 1683,
was found necessary, and a log house was built by Lacy Cock in
Second street above Market, but not being suitable a house was
hired of Patrick Robinson, probably in Second street below
Chestnut. The caves and houses on the banks were ordered
to be destroyed.

Penn, being dissatisfied with the actions of the Council and
Assembly, gave authority to five commissioners to act for him as
if he were present, any three of whom were empowered to act.
He named Thomas Lloyd, Nicholas More, James Claypoole,
Robert Turner, and John Eckley ; but as the commission did not
arrive until a year after (in February, 1688), More and Clay-
poole were dead, and John Symcock and Arthur Cook were sub-
stituted. They were to execute the laws, enacting, disannulling,
or varying them, and declaring his abrogation of all that had
been done since his absence and of all laws but the fundamentals,
and to call another Assembly to repass, alter, and modify the
laws ; and do other acts as if he himself were present, Penn re-
serving to himself the power of confirming what was done. This
was but a poor substitute for his yearning to be at the head of
affairs personally, but his controversy with Lord Baltimore, and
his presence abroad, necessary during the change from the dy-
nasty of Charles II. to that of King James II., with the business
relating to his colony, prevented his returning to "poor Penn-
sylvania." He felt too, keenly, the lack of provision made for
his support on this side of the water, and the returns he had thus
far received left him five to six thousand pounds the poorer for
his speculation.

56 Annals of Philadelphia.

CHAPTER X.

THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE FIVE COMMISSIONERS, 1688,

The government under the five commissioners was not destined
to be long lived ; with a Council and Assembly in existence to be
overawed by five men with the authority of one governor, it would
require careful management not to excite factious feelings. The
new order of things lasted only from February to December, 1688.
The new commission was read before the Provincial Council, and
the priority was quietly settled by naming Thomas Lloyd always
first at the meetings.

The Assembly adopted a resolution of secrecy as to their ac-
tions and speeches, which was probably aimed against the Council.
The latter in return expressed also new sentiments of their supe-
riority and the deference that should be shown them by the Assem-
bly. Such proceedings at the commencement were not likely to
produce very harmonious action between the three bodies repre-
senting the Proprietary and the people. Finally, Thomas Lloyd
declined to serve as president of the Executive Board, and u])on
proper representations being made to the Proprietary he ap])ointed
John Blackwell, son-in-law of General Lambert, and formerly
an officer under Cromwell, to serve as governor. He was at the
time in New England, and he arrived in the city in December,
and his commission was read at the first meeting, December 18th.

But little worthy of note occurred this year. It had been cus-
tomary to hold an annual fair, and this year the place of holding
it having been changed to the Centre, some dissatisfied residents,
more distant from this than before, made strong objections. It
was ordered that the fair should be held in May, and another one
at the Centre in August.

An alarm, which created great uneasiness, was widespread con-
cerning an attack by the Indians. As they outnumbered the
whites and resided very near the settlements, people were very
timid about them. The rumors were finally j)ut at rest by Caleb
Pusey of Chester county and five other Friends visiting unarmed
the Indians at their town on the Brandywine, and finding them
most ])eaceably disposed.

The Friends were also foremost in another good work, the
abolition of slavery. The first testimony against slavery on
record is a paper emanating from the Monthly Meeting of Ger-
man Friends at Gcrmantown in A])ril of this year. It was
signed by Garret Henderich, Derick op de Graeff, Francis Daniel
Pastorius, Abram op de GraefF. The arguments were weighty
and unanswerable, and the remonstrance was passed from one
Meeting to the other, and the Yearly Meeting postponed its con-
sideration for the present.

John Blackwell, Governor. 67

CHAPTER XI.

JOHN BLACKAVELL, GOVERNOR, 1688-1690.

The new governor had a troublous time during his career as
such. The first month Thomas liloyd, keeper of the Great Seal
under Penn's commission, refused to affix it to commissions issued
by the governor. The constant succession of quarrels between
the governor, the Council, and the Assembly, and they again
amongst themselves, kept the Province in a turmoil, and it is un-
necessary for us at this day to repeat them. The controversies
led to the printing of the " Frame of Government," with a view
of the better understanding of the rights of governed and gov-
erning. Of course, as there was but one printer, William
Bradford was brought up for examination. He made a shrewd
defence of himself and the liberty of the press, and demanded
his accusers.

The governor laid before the Council some rumors of an in-
tended attack by the French, Papists, and Indians to cut off the
Protestants. The design of these representations was to induce
the Council to authorize the raising of a defensive force. The
Friends were true to their principles and refused, and there the
matter ended.

Though the news of the flight of James II. and the accession
of William and Mary reached the Province in February, 1689,
the prudence of the peo])le led them to be thoroughly certain of
the permanence of the new monarchy before declaring it ; conse-
quently, the proclamation of their accession was not formally
made till November. The announcement that England was about
to wage war upon the French, and the demand of the governor
for militia and arms to place the Province in a state of defence,
again created a warm discussion, and a refusal on the part of many
to have anything to do with such matters. Finally, the subject
was left to the governor's discretion. Shortly after, in January,
1690, the governor announced to the Council that he had been
relieved of his authority, and expressed his thanks at his release
from such troubles.

Penn sent at this same time a letter full of advice and entreaty
for peace to the Council ; also two commissions — one authorizing
them to select three persons, of whom he would choose one, to act
as deputy or lieutenant-governor, and the other authorizing the
one of the three having the highest number of votes to act until
his pleasure and choice should be known.

This year Robert Turner, John Tissick, Thomas Budd, Robert
Ewer, Samuel Carpenter, and John Fuller proposed to establish
a " Bank ffor money," etc., probably on the plan formerly pro-

58 Annals of Philadelphia.

posed by Thomas Budd in his book, but it does not seem to have
been carried out. Also ^vas originated the first pui)lic school, of
which an account is given under the head of" " Education " (see
p. 160).

CHAPTER XII.

THOMAS LLOYD, PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL, 1690-1693.

On January 2d, 1690, Council met and took into consideration
Penn's letter, and elected Thomas Lloyd president. Governor
Blackwell gave the members new instructions of Penn as to the
manner of conducting the government.

In February, William Markham presented to the Council a
request from Penn that they should build him a house on his lot
after a model he sent William Markham, in lieu of six hundred
pounds due him, and which yet remained unpaid ; or in lieu of
that to stock, the three plantations of his three children, each two
hundred pounds.

In April of this year Benjamin Chambers and Francis Rawle
presented a ])lan for constructing an arched bridge over Mulberry
street at Front street. " Mulberry street being not less than sixty
foot in breadth, in y^ midst of the same, and about twenty perches
back from y** river, we intend to cutt out a cart-road of twenty
foot in breadth, from thence to extend with a gradual 1 dessent to
low- water mark, and to have y^ said passage paved and Mailed up
with stones on both sides, and to have a bridge over y*^ said pas-
sage in y® middle of y** flf'ront street, and that part w'ch remains
uncovered to be ffenced with railes, and y*^ river end of the s'd
passage to make a iFree and publick wharf of twenty ffoot in
breadth on each side thereoif."

Council consenting to this, the cut was made and a bridge arched
•over it, and thus did the name of "Arch" street gradually sup-
plant "Mulberry" street, though the writer well remembers the
direction-boards at the corners bearing the name of Mulberry street,
the official designation long remaining after "Arch" was the popu-
lar one.

At the same meeting the counties were authorized to divide
their boundaries into hundreds or such other divisions as they
should think most convenient for collecting taxes. They laid
them out in townships.

At the same meeting it was requested a bill might be prepared
to prevent hogs running at large in Philadelphia and New Castle.
But such a bill was inoperative even within my recollection, as
nogs were allowed to run at large in the best streets.

In September a county seal was ordered for Philadelphia; also,
that the watch should be strengthened.

Tliomas Lloyd, President of Council. 59

In this year a number of the inhabitants formed a company
and erected the first American paper-mill, on the Wissahickon
near Germantown. Among them were AVilliam Bradford and
William Rittenhouse. The latter, with his son Nicholas, became
owner of the mill in 1704; it remained in the family from son
to son till 1811 ; Nicholas was succeeded by his son William, and
he by his son Jacob, who died in 1811. It was afterward a cot-
ton-factory. At this Rittenhouse paper-mill was made the paper
used by William Bradford even after he settled in New York, and
also that for the Weekly llercury, the first paper in Pennsylvania,
and published by Andrew Bradford.

While the colony was progressing in peace and prospering,
notwithstanding the war between the mother-country and
France, only a little of which was felt by them — viz., in
the fears of the French families on the Schuylkill, and of the
Indians joining them — the Proprietary was having much trouble
from the persecutions of the adherents of the new dynasty. His
having been a favorite with James II. constantly laid him open
to suspicion, and he was several times arrested and examined,
once before King William in person. His defence, always plain
and candid, enabled him each time to clear himself. He now in-
tended a second visit to America, and issued his " Second Pro-
posals" to settlers, chiefly inviting settling on the Susquehanna,
in which he said that " a thousand houses had been erected and
finished in the city of Philadelphia, and that ten sail of ships
were freighted with the growth of the Province for Barbadoes,
Jamaica, etc. last year." If the Province had built him a house
and guaranteed a certain sum for the support of his family, and
granted other privileges which he claimed, his exertions to leave
England would have perhaps been more stimulated and success-
ful. But the dissensions among his people seemed to become
greater and more widespread. The inhabitants of the Lower
Counties, called territories, were different in manners and feelings
from those of the newer settlements, or Province, and became-
jealous of the greater prosperity and maritime importance of
the city of Philadelphia. This culminated in an open rupture
and secession of the members of Council of the lower section,
who appointed judges, thus creating two Councils. Penn un-
willingly sanctioned the new order of things in 1691, and ap-
pointed Thomas Lloyd deputy governor of the Province, and
William Markham of the territories.

In 1692, William Bradford, who with one McComb had pub-
lished " A Plea for the Innocent," a virulent tract of George
Keith's, was tried for issuing a malicious and seditious publica-
tion reflecting upon the magistrates. The press, tools, and type
of Bradford were seized, and were not returned to him until
1693, when Governor Fletcher was in power. Bradford ably
conducted his own defence, and the verdict was against the de-

60 Annals of Philadelphia.

fendants, but it is uncertain as to any punishment or fine having
been inflicted.

Keith and Thomas Budd were also tried for defaming Judge
Jennings, convicted, and fined five pounds each, but the fine does
not seem to have been paid. Keith some time after went to
England.

Penn's troubles culminated in 1692 by having his Province
taken from him, and Governor Fletcher of iSew York was
commissioned in October to act as ''captain-general and gov-
ernor-in-chief of the Province of New York, Province of
Pennsylvania, and country of New Castle."

CHAPTER XIII.

BENJAMIN FLETCHER, ROYAL GOVERNOR; WILLIAM MARKHAM,
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR, 1693-1695.

The commission to Fletcher did not reach this country till
1693; he arrived in Philadelphia April 26th, and had the
commission read in the market-place in his presence. He ten-
dered the first ])lace in Council to Thomas Lloyd, who declined
to serve, when AVilliam Markham was appointed lieutenant-gov-
ernor, and presided when the governor was absent in New York.
Others who held commissions as justices also declined, and new
ones were appointed,

Penn did not quietly submit to the usurpation, but wrote to
Fletcher "to tread softly and with caution in the afi'air," as that
the country and the government were his, and there was no quo
warranto brought or judgment passed against his charter. To
another he MTote : " You are to hear and obey the crown of Eng-
land sj)eaking in the voice of the law, which this is not, but sic
volo sic jubeo."

Governor Fletcher had the same trouble with the people as
had his predecessors ; he had disputes with the Assembly about
the election of representatives, he having United the Province
and the territories in one as formerly ; also about furnishing aid
in men and money to the colony of New Y'ork for carrying on
the war with the French and Indians on the Canadian frontier;
a bill for this failed. The old laws were re-established ; a tax of
one ])enny on the pound was laid for the support of the govern-
ment, which yielded £760 IQs. 2c/., of which Philadelphia paid
£314 lis. lid.; a bill was passed for the education of children,
and one for the establishment of a post-office, which was part
of a general colonial law.

Many curious minor matters were regulated. The owner of
a ferry across the Schuylkill at High street complained of a
rival establishment, and of persons ferrying themselves across

William Jfarkham, Governor, 1695-99. 61

in their own boats. It was settled that no ferry should be al-
lowed within four miles, and that it was the sole right of the
Proprietary to establish ferries. A channel was ordered in the
middle of Front street between Wall-nut and Chess-nut streets.
Negroes found gadding abroad on First Day were to be impris-
oned M'ithout meat or drink, and publicly whipt next morning
with thirty-nine lashes. The place for the markets to be held
was put to vote August 8th, 1693 — whether the market should
continue on the " west side of Front street within the High
street " or " where the Second street crosses the High street."
The latter was settled upon as soon as it could be staked out
for the purjjose.

In 1694 the first execution took place, that of Dick Johnson
for murder.

In the summer of 1694 the peaceable tribe of Delawares
showed Governor Fletcher a belt of wamjium sent them by the
Onondagoes and Senecas, with a request the Delawares should
join them in fighting the French. The governor dismissed them
with praise for their desire for always remaining in peace with all
Christians; but at the meeting of the Assembly he again asked for
means for defence, for money to "feed the hungry and clothe
the naked," meaning the Senecas and Onandagoes who were fight-
ing the French. But the Quakers, true to their principles, de-
clined to vote the money, but offered to vote two hundred pounds
each to William Markham and Thomas Lloyd for past services.
Governor Fletcher, bitterly disappointed, dissolved the Assembly.

At the close of 1693, Penn was acquitted of the charges of
treason, and discharged in November, several of his friends, in-
fluential courtiers, having convinced King William that the
charges of disaffection were malicious and groundless, though he
was not restored to his rights as Proprietary until August, 1694.
His wife Gulielma died February 23, 1694, but his pecuniary
embarrassments still prevented his desires to revisit the Province
from being realized. He therefore commissioned William Mark-
ham as deputy governor of the Province and territories, with
John Goodson and Samuel Carpenter as assistants.

CHAPTER XIV.

WILLIAM MAKKHAM, GOVERNOR, 1695-99.

William Markham convened the members of the old Coun-
cil March 26, 1695, and laid before them the patent of William
and Mary restoring to Penn his Province, and the commission to
him under it.

On the 29th of June, Markham notified the Council of the
demand repeated by Governor Fletcher at New York for a quota

62 Annals of Philadelphia.

of eifjhty men and their proper officers — in all ninety-one men —
or the equivalent cost of maintaining them. Council parr'ed the
matter by saying it could not be done without the consent of the
Assembly, which would not meet imtil September 9th. The
Assembly met at the appointed time, but was still unwilling to
vote the supplies without certain restrictions. They passed a
bill for raising a penny per pound and six shillings per head, the
amount to be expended in giving three hundred ])Ounds to Wil-
liam Markham, two hundred and fifty pounds to the support of
the government, and the balance toward defraying the debts of
the government. At the same time they passed another, an act
of settlement, claiming new privileges for the Asseml)ly and the
people. Markham, viewing the amount voted to him as being
intended to influence his decision in a matter he was opposed to,
declined to sign them both, and as the Assembly would not sepa-
rate the two, he rejected both and dissolved the Assembly.

Markham seems to have governed without a Council for a year.
He called a new Council September 25th, 1G96, to whom he pre-
sented various documents received from England — parliamentary
acts, addresses and letters from the ministers and other officers,
some of them complaining of violations of the laws regulating
trade and plantations. But little had been heard from Penn,
communication being difficult on account of the war with France.
By the advice of Council the governor convened the Assembly
on the 26th of October. He again asked for a])propriations for
troops and money, and to ratify Penn's promise that on the
restoration of his government the interests of England should be
attended to. The Assembly finally agreed to pass an act for
raising money for the king's service, provided the act to settle
them in former constitutions, enjoyed before the government was
committed to Governor Fletcher's trust, was framed and passed,
and that the governor would convene a new Assembly with a
full number of representatives, according to the old charter, to
serve until the Proprietary's pleasure should be known. Mark-
ham complied Mith these demands, pressed as he was by the
letters of the queen and Fletcher. He called a new Council and
Assembly to meet March 10th, 1697, and had prepared "A
Frame of Government of y^ Province of Pennsylvania and terri-
tories y"" unto belonging;" also a bill for granting a tax of a
penn}' on the pound for the support of government; Iwth of
which were passed by the Assembly.

During this session numerous roads were ordered to be laid out
to accommodate the growing settlements ; among these were — a
road from William's Landing on the Delaware in Bucks county
into the king's great road, to shorten the post-road from New
York ; the Gray's Ferry road ; a road by the way of the Darby
road to Hertford ; and others.

The governor dissolved the Assembly on the 7th of November.

William Marhham, Governor. 63

Sliortly before this his assistants, Samuel Carpenter and John
Goodson, declined, and Samuel Jennings and Arthur Cook ac-
cepted the office.

In this same year (1696), in January, William Penn took to
himself a second wife, Hannah Callowhill of Bristol. In April
his eldest son, Springett Penn, died, leaving him but two chil-
dren— Letitia, who afterward married William Aubrey, and
William Penn, Jr.

The events of 1697 that transpired were only of local interest.
In May several pirates were arrested, but two of them escaped,
and the others were not brought to trial. Comjilaints were for-
warded to the Commissioners of Trade in England that Mark-
ham was lenient to them or protected the pirates. The commis-
sioners representing the matter to Penn, he wrote a severe letter,
complaining that the Province winked at " Scotch trade, and a
Dutch one too," and " embrace pirates, ships, and men ;" " there
is no place more overrun with wickedness ;" '* so foul that I am
forbid by common modesty to relate them." The Council re-
plied: they knew of no contraband trade, but if such, it was with
the connivance of the officers of the Crown, and the niiigistrates
and courts had been diligent to suppress illegal trade; that no
pirates had been harbored, unless the temporary stay of Avery's
crevv could be so construed, and as soon as these were known they
were apprehended, but afterward broke jail and fled to New
York. They admitted looseness and vice had increased with the
population, owing to too many public-houses existing, but that
the magistrates were careful to punish offenders.

A watch was ordered to be kept by the justices of Sussex county
on Cape Henlopen, to give notice of the approach of any enemy.
Markham, who was not restrained by any feeling against warlike
principles, commissioned Captain Jolni Day to attack the French
privateers, who had taken several sloops on the coast. Governor
Nicholson of Maryland complained that Markham enticed men
from the vessels of that Province.

In this year the home goverimient established courts of ad-
miralty in America, appointing as judge for Pennsylvania Robert
Quarry, a man inimical to the Quakers and their principles. The
first public case of lunacy occurred. A clerk of tiie market and
woocl-corder was appointed.

The Assembly met this May, when Governor Markham pre-
sented a communication from Governor Fletcher of New York,
acknowledging the receipt of three hundred pounds voted last
year, stating it had been expended for food and clothing for the
Indians, and that the quota of men from the Province would be
eighty men or two thousand pounds. The Assembly replied: the
three hundred pounds sent was borrowed, and had run some six
months with interest, and was not yet repaid — that with that and
other considerable debts, considering the infancy and f>overty of

64 Annals of Philadelphia.

the government, they coukl not raise any more money, but they
were reiuly "to observe y*" king's farther commands, according to
their religious persuasions and abilities." The tax collected in
1696 at one penny to the pound amounted to three hundred and
fifty-six pounds, with some collectors yet to report. Nothing
more seems to have been done, though there was an incipient
militia " association " formed, which met with approval of some
the members of the Assembly, though the Quakers signed a
declaration of their principles as to loyalty and fidelity, which
jf course was against the association.

The Asseml)ly appropriated twenty pounds yearly as a salary
to Andrew Hamilton, the postmaster of North America under the
Crown, who stated that New England appropriated fifty pounds
a year. New York fifty pounds a year and a bitt or ninepence on
every letter from Philadelphia to New York or forty miles from
New York, and upon foreign letters. Connecticut and Rhode
Island gave free carriage to the post. The post only went as far
nortii as New England, and did not extend to the Southern
colonies.

The law for regulating fires was passed; the town growing so
rapidly it became a measure of necessity. It directed that each
householder should keep ready a swab at least twelve or fourteen
feet long, as also two leathern buckets, and that the justices should
have made six or eight good hooks for the purpose of tearing down
houses in case of fire; which they were empowered to do where
necessary without liability for damages.

Early in 1698, in February, at a meeting of Council a petition
to the governor requested him to " place officers of good repute
and Christian conversation, and to cause tables of all officers' fees
to be hung up in their offices, and that they would reduce the
number of oi'dinaries, and better regulate y™, and to cause the laws
of the Province to be put into execution, and cause stocks and
cages to be provided, and to suppress the noise and drunkenness
of Indians, especially in the night, and to cause the crier to go
to the extent of each street when he has anything to cry, and to
put a check to horse-i'acing."

Governor Nicholson of Maryland, by authority of the Board
of Admiralty in England, appointed John Bewley collector of
customs at Philadelphia. He wa.s shortly after superseded by
Captain John Jewell.

William Harmer, John Fisher, Daniel Howell, Edward Burch,
Thomas Kutter, and Nicholas Scull a})p]ied for a road from the
limekilns for carting of lime to Philadel])hia, extending from the
kilns " into Plimouth rode, near Cressoon," the connnencement of
that now known as " the Ridge Road."

Notice was received of the cessation of the war between France
and England.

Colonel Quarry, who was admiralty judge under the king,

The Proprietary in Pennsylvania, 1700-01. 65

issued a warrant to Marshal Webb to seize a sloop containing
goods, said to be without a certificate, and belonging to John
jf^danis, but who afterward presented one, and obtaining a writ
of replevin. Sheriff Claypoole seized the goods, but Governor
Markham ordered him to Avithhold them from Adams. The
Council voted themselves and the governor blameless in the mat-
ter. Anthony Morris, who issued the writ, together with his
brother justices, argued that the writ of replevin was a writ of
right for the king's subjects, and the sheriff was as fit an officer
to hold the goods as the marshal of the admiralty. Anthony
Morris resigned, and David Lloyd, the attorney for Adams, was
suspended by Penn after his arrival. This was only one of the
conflicts occasionally taking place between the king's officers and
the governor and Council, the king's officers being generally hos-
tile to the Proprietary governor, and constant complaints were
transmitted to the home government.

Lieutenant-Governor Markliam acted very independently of the
Crown officers, and they in turn complained of him and said he
favored pirates ; which does not seem to have been true, although
the famous Captain Kidd arrived in Delaware Bay and was visit-
ed by some of tlie people. He landed in Long Island Sound in
June, 1699, was captured, sent to England, and there tried and
hung in 1701.

In the summer of 1699 the yellow fever raged with great vio-
lence ; its origin was ascribed to the influence of the tanyards, but
it is certain that many died between them and the river.

William Penn, with his wife and his daughter Letitia, sailed
from Cowes September 9th, 1699, and landed at Chester, Decem-
ber 1st, after nearly three months' passage. He found the peo-
ple just recovering from their recent distress from the epidemic,
but they received him with great demonstrations of welcome when
he reached the city on the 3d of December. His friend and sec-
retary, James Logan, came with him.

CHAPTER Xy.

THE PROPRIETARY IN PENNSYLVANIA, 1700-01.

Logan says when Penn landed on Sunday he first paid a short
visit to Governor Markham, then to Meeting, where he spoke,
and afterward to Edward Shij)pen's house. Here he remained
for a month, and removed in January to what was known as the
Slate-Roof House, which formerly stood on the site of the present
Commercial Excliange in Second street. Here, a month later, his
son John, surnamed the American, was born.

Penn met the Council about three weeks after his arrival. One
Vol. III.— E 6 *

66 Annals of Philadelphia.

of the important matters transacted was the a])pointing by Penn
of a committee, consistinc: of Robert Turner, Griffith Jones, Fran-
cis Rawle, and Joseph Wih-ox, to arrange a plan of reconciling
differences that had arisen on account of the old charter and the
Frame of Go\'ernment, originating from the former seizure of the
Proprietary's rights by the king.

The Assembly was convened on the 25th of January, and
passed laws against pirates and illegal trade ; and at later ses-
sions, in May and October, the Frame of Government was con-
sidered, and all laws were re-enacted or amended ; and among
the new ones made were the first quarantine law and an act for
registering births, deaths, and marriages.

In 1701 the governor and Council were petitioned by the Ger-
mantown corporation, through Francis D. Pastorius, that they
should be exempted from the county charges for court, taxes,
etc., and proposed to pay all their own public charges ; and they
curiously added, " they had seated themselves so close together
that they have scarce room to live." They also at this time
established the market-house on the Main street where the road
''goes to the Schuylkill."

Amongst other matters settled this year was a regulation of the
streets and water-courses of the city; a prohibition against killing
cattle, and the ordering of farmers to raise more, so that the drain
of coin to Jersey to pay for cattle imported from there should be
stopped ; regulation of the slaughter-houses, and that they should
be on the banks of the Delaware ; the road to Chester was re-
viewed, and the bridge over Frankford Creek repaired.

We now come to the closing events of Penn's stay in America
before his leave of it for ever. In August, 1701, Penn, having
received a letter from the king requiring there should be raised
£350 toward the fortifications of New York, called the Assembly
together and presented the claim. But the Assembly, as usual,
pleaded their poverty, the amounts they had already granted, and
that the levy was not equally made on other Provinces, and ad-
journed in five days without passing the bill.

In September, Penn again convened the Assembly, stating he
had received a letter from England of such an alarming character
as would require his presence there. A bill for annexing all the
Proprietary governments to the Crown had been twice read be-
fore the House of Lords. In Penn's address to the Assembly he
says: "I confess I cannot think of such a voyage without great
reluctancy of mind, having promised myself the Quietness of a
Wilderness, that I might stay so long at least with you as to ren-
der everybody entirely easy and safe, for my lieart is among you
as well as my body, whatever some people may please to think ;
and no Unkindness or Disappointment shall (with submission to
God's Providence) ever be able to alter my love to the country
and resolution to return and settle with my family and posterity

TJie Proprietary in Pennsylvania, 1700-01. 67

in it; but, having reason to believe I can at this time best serve
you and myself on that side of the water, neither the rudeness
of the season nor the tender circumstances of my family can over-
rule my intention to undertake it."

He desired the Assembly to review the laws, and make such
propositions for new ones as would leave everything secure for
the proper continuance of the government, both for himself and
the people. The Assembly replied with twenty-one grievances ;
amongst them were — the rents and reservations on the land in
the city, which they supposed was to be a free gift to the pur-
chasers; the land lying back of the part of the town already built
to remain for common, and no leases be granted until the respect-
ive owners shall be ready to build and improve ; and that the
streets be regulated and bounded, and the ends of the streets on
each river be free, and that public landing-places at the Blue
Anchor and Penny-pot house be free.

To these Penn replied: The first purchasers had agreed to all
he had asked them to comply with, and if those who had been
given double lots would return one-half, or fifty-two feet, he
would be easy on the quit-rents ; they were mistaken in thinking
a fourth part of the city belonged to anybody but himself, it be-
ing reserved for such as were not first purchasers who might want
to build in future time, but still he would consult with those in-
terested about settling it ; and the ends of the streets and public
landings he would grant as desired.

The Charter of Privileges was also agreed upon and signed by
Penn, Oct. 28, 1701, in which liberty of conscience was assured
to all " who shall confess and acknowledge one Almighty God "
and " live quietly under the civil gov^ernment," and that all
who believe in Jesus Christ should be capable to serve the
government.

It was also provided an Assembly should be elected yearly of
four persons out of each county, or more if the governor and As-
sembly should agree, on the 1st of October, to meet on the 14th
in Philadelphia. The governor was to select sheriffs and coroners
out of a number elected at the same time; county justices could
name clerks of the peace, to be confirmed by the governor ; prop-
erty-cases were to be heard in the courts ; tavern keepers were to
be licensed by the governor ; estates of suicides and accidental
deaths should go to their heirs, and not be forfeited as before;
and no part of the charter should be repealed without the consent
of the governor and six-sevenths of the Assembly. The city,
when incorporated, was to be represented by two members in the
Assembly. The charter for the city was signed on the 25th of
October, Edward Shippen mayor and Thomas Story recorder.

The Charter of Liberties is in possession of the American
Philosophical Society.

Penn appointed Andrew Hamilton to be his lieutenant-gov(!r-

t»8 Annals of Philadelphia.

nor, James Logan secretary of the Province, and Edward Ship-
pen, John Guest, Samuel Carpenter, William Clark, Thomas
Story, Griffith Owen, Phineas Pemberton, Samuel Finney,
Caleb Pusey, and John Elunston his Council of State. Of
the above, Shippen, Owen, Story, and Logan were commis-
sioners of property and to make titles.

And now, having arranged all the affairs of state, confirmed
his treaties with the Indians and his purchase of lands from them
on the Susquehanna, he embarked on board the ship Dalmahoy
about the 1st of November, 1701, with his wife Hannah, his
daughter Letitia, and his infant son John. His last instructions
were from on board ship to James Logan, his secretary and agent,
dated November 3d, Amongst other things he says : " I have
left thee an uncommon trust, with a singular dependence on thy
justice and. care, which I expect thou wilt faithfully employ in
advancing my honest intent." .... "Thou mayest continue in
the house I lived in till the year is up." . . . . " Get my two
mills finished; make the most of them to my profit, but let not
John Marsh put me to any great expense." Mr. Westcott says
one of these mills was at Chester, the other on the Cohocksink
Creek, where Germantown road crosses it, known then as the
Governor's Mill, and now as the Globe Mills. He concluded :
" Give my dear love to all my friends, who I desire may labor
to soften angry spirits and to reduce them to a sense of their
duty ; and at thy return give a small treat, in my name, to
the gentlemen of Philadelphia for a beginning to a better
understanding, for which I pray the Lord to incline their
hearts."

No doubt exists of Penn's intention to return to his Province,
but various difficulties intervened. Philip Ford, steward of his
Irish estates, though a Friend, had been dishonest to Penn, and
by charges of commissions, interest, and compound interest had
made out a claim of £10,500, on account of which Penn, without
carefully examining the accounts, gave Ford a conveyance of
Pennsylvania in 1690 for £2800. Ford died in 1700, and his
heirs brought forward the claim and pressed for the money.
Penn was arrested and imprisoned, as a verdict ^\•as obtained
against him. He finally mortgaged his Province for £6800 in
December, 1708, to some friends, and was set free by paying
the Fords.

To relieve himself from embarrassments, Penn in 1712 agreed
to sell his Proprietary interests in Pennsylvania to the Crown for
£12,000, payable in four years. He received £1000 on account
before the instrument was finally executed. Being struck with
apoplexy and his mental power destroyed, the agreement was not
carried out, and he lingered in this weak state of mind till his
death, at his residence in Buckinghamshire, July 30, 1718. He
left his English and Irish estates to the children by his first wife,

John Evans, Governor, 1704--09. 69

and his Pennsylvania lands and interests were left to his widow
and her children, after paying his debts. His wife was left sole
executrix and legatee of his personal estate.

CHAPTER XVI.

ANDREW HAMILTON, GOVERNOR, 1701-03.

Andrew Hamilton acted as governor from his appointment
until his death, on April 20th, 1703, while on a visit to his family
at Amboy, New Jersey. His rule was full of disturbances, partly
arising from the difficulty of getting the machinery of a new gov-
ernment into easy working-order, and partly from the striving
for mastery of opposing parties. The governor proclaimed on
the 10th of July, 1702, Princess Anne of Denmark queen of
Great Britain, and, on account of the breaking out of war be-
tween England and France and Spain, endeavored to form a
militia for defence. But " the hot Cluirch party opposed it to the
utmost, because they would have nothing done that may look
with a good countenance at home." Then the delegates from
the Lower Counties, or Territories, refused to join with those of
the Province, who in turn refused to meet with those from the
Territories. The authorities of the city, too, claimed so much un-
der their charter as caused Penn to write: "I could wish the
officers of the city of Philadelphia would be careful not to strive
nor strain points to make their charter more than it truly means,
and so a burden to the county and government ; for if they take
that course I shall inquire into it and put a period thereto. I
therefore desire an accommodation may be found out to ease the
controversy between town and county."

CHAPTER XVII.

JOHN EVANS, GOVERNOR, 1704-09.

Edward Shippen, president of the Council, assumed the ad-
ministration of affiiirs, together with the Council, until the arrival
of John Evans, February 2d, 1704, who was appointed lieuten-
ant-governor by William Penn, with the queen's approbation.
Penn's letter said Governor Evans was " a young man of above
six-and-twenty, but sober and sensible ; the son of an old friend
who lovest me not a little." He was accompanied by William
Penn, Jr., and Roger Mompesson.

William Penn, Jr., was requested by his father to come to

70 Annals of Philadelphia.

America, in hopes the sober example of the Friends wouhl win
him from the vices and extravat!;ances of England. Penn's letter
to Logan about him is very touching, and concludes: " Peimsyl-
vania has cost me dearer in my poor child than all other con-
siderations. The Lord pity and spare in his great mercy ! I yet
Lope." The young man was married, but left his wife and young
child in England.

Roger Mom{)esson was sent over to be judge of admiralty and
attorney-general for the Proprietary. The three young men, with
James Logan, took the new house known as Clark's Hall, at the
south-west corner of Third and Chestnut streets. (See Vol. L
374, and III. 190.)

Governor Evans had the same difficulty of bringing the mem-
bers of the Province and those of the Lower Territories to act to-
gether as one Assembly. The Provincial members therefore acted
a.s the Assembly. In 1703 the Quakers gained the privilege of
having affirmations taken by all persons and in all cases, instead
of oaths as prescribed by the royal order of January, 1702. A
body of militia was organized ; they buried Governor William
Markham with military honors; his death occurred 11th of
February, 1704.

William Penn, Jr., got into an afTray at a tavern, and was
badly beaten by some of the citizens; it is said by Alderman Wil-
cox. On being brought before the mayor, young Penn said " he
was a gentleman, and not responsible to his father's petty offi-
cers." The grand-jury, composed mostly of Quakers, indicted
Penn and several others, which so incensed him that he abjured
Quakerism and became a Churchman, and continued so till his
death, which occurred in France about two years after the death
of his father.

In 1705 the governor urged the appropriation of money for a
revenue for the government and granting supplies to the Propri-
etary for expenses. The House resolved £1200 should be raised
for the support of government, and an impost upon all wines and
cider, horses, cattle, sheep, swine, meats, butter and cheese, eto.
imported into the Province. This first tariff was not passed. As
regarded the Proprietary's quit-rents of twelvepence for every one
hundred acres of purchased land, the House declared it was in-
tended to be a tax for the support of the government, and not
of the Proprietary.

One William Biles, a member of the Assembly, having said of
Governor Evans, " He is but a boy ; he is not fit to be our gov-
ernor; we'll kick him out," he was sued, and £300 found for the
governor. Refusing to ))ay, he was imprisoned, and the governor
asked he should be expelled from the House. This the House
refused, because the words had not been spoken there, and their
privileges had been invaded. Finally, the Assembly adjourned.

In December, 1705, a solemn thanksgiving was appointed to

John Evans, Governor, 170Iy-09. 71

be celebrated in January " for the signal victory obtained over y®
French, after having forced the enemy's lines in the Netherlands
this last summer."

In this year the city was first divided into wards, ten in num-
ber, none of which extended west of Seventh street, there being
no residents there ; for it was ordered in Council that " that part
of the city between Broad street and Delaware be grubb'd and
clean'd from all its rubbish, in order to produce English grass "
to feed the cows of the inhabitants ! And for which each owner
paid twelvepence per annum per cow toward buying and keeping
the town-bulls!

A new freedom-paper was ordered to be drawn up. It was
customary to apply for papers declaring the owner a freeman or
freewoman — a plan adopted to help raise revenue, for which from
2s, 6f/. to two guineas was paid. It gave certain privileges, such
as eligibility to corporation offices, right to vote for represent-
atives to the Assembly, privilege to keep shops or be master
workmen, etc.

In January, 1706, the first Potter's Field was established, on
Washington Square, the Proprietary granting it for that use,
though it was one of the squares set out in the original plot
for public uses and to be reserved for ever.

Tlie Assembly this year was asked to pay Thomas Makin, the
schoolmaster, for loss on account of the Assembly using his
school-house so long. This led to a petition to the governor
to have the Assembly meet in Chester and Bucks counties
until *' a state-house or other convenient place " should be
prepared.

Among the laws passed were — all teams within six miles of
the city should go double ; the first Sunday law ; regulating the
number of members of the Assembly — eight for each county and
two for the city — also the time of elections ; and some fifty minor
laws.

The governor, in order to force the enrolment of militia, pre-
tended to have received a letter of notice from the governor of
Maryland of several French vessels threatening an attack, and
the next day a messenger arrived in apparent alarm and great
haste with the news of the vessels coming up the river and ap-
proaching the city. The governor started out on horseback with
a drawn sword, ordering every one to arm. Great consternation
ensued, and much loss and damage to property occurred. But
before long it turned out to be a miserable attem[)t of the gov-
ernor to excite their fears and show what might happen. Even
this deceit would not have been so bad, but Logan says in the two
letters received the governor counterfeited the handwriting. The
governor called a meeting of the Assembly and asked for ap-
propriations for defence, which were denied him, with a request
added that the actors in the late false alarm should be punished.

72 Annals of Philadelphia.

The result of the whole matter was that the reputation of the
governor suffered and the militia gradually dwindled away.

At a subsequent Assembly, James Logan was threatened to
be impeached for reported interfering M'ith the rights of the
people.

At the latter part of the year Governor Evans succeeded in
having a law passed for building a fort at Newcastle, which for
defence only would have been satisfactory enough, but attached
to it were laws regulating the commerce. Vessels passing were
required to stop and have their papers examined ; the penalty for
refusing was £5, and 20s. for the first gun, 30s. for the second,
and 40.S'. for every subsequent gun fired to bring the vessel to.
Foreign-owned inward-bound vessels were obliged to ])ay half a
pound of powder for every ton's measurement of the ship. The
merchants complained loudly, until in May, 1707, Richard Hill,
Samuel Preston, and William Fishbourne went on board of a
vessel of Hill's, and, coming in sight of the fort, anchored.
Preston and Fishbourne went on shore and informed French,
the commander of the fort, that the vessel was regularly cleared,
and desired to pass. This was refused, and Hill started his ves-
sel, with himself at the helm ; shots were fired, but only one
passed through the mainsail. French pursued in an armed
boat, and on coming alongside a rope was attached, and he as-
cended the ship ; the rope was cut, the boat fell astern, and
French was led into the cabin a prisoner. Governor Evans,
who had heard of the attempt to pass that was to be practised,
had ridden down to Newcastle, and, seeing that French's boat was
cut adrift, followed in another boat. Hill proceeded to Salem,
and there delivered French to Lord Cornbury, a Crown officer,
as governor of New Jersey and admiral of the Delaware. French
was reprimanded, and promised to cease the practice, and Gover-
nor Evans, who was still very angry, was also much blamed.
Logan protested in the name of Penn against the action of the
governor, and some two hundred and twenty merchants remon-
strated to the Assembly, and the act was discontinued.

At several meetings of the Assembly this year and the next the
governor and the members had continuous quarrels, thus imped-
ing business. One was because David Lloyd, the Speaker, while
answering the governor, sat in his presence — an affront which the
governor resisted, and the Assembly upheld Lloyd. Another
quarrel was about the inij)eachment of Logan, who claimed he
could not answer until charges were made ; the governor upheld
him against the Assembly, who adjourned and sent a remonstrance
to Penn against Evans, demanding his dismissal on the grounds
of his excesses and misdemeanors scandalizing the goveruni'int
and of his exactions and arbitrary proceedings.

Evans undoubtedly was unfit tor his place; his youth and his
immoralities, and lack of dignity and experience, brought him

Charles Goolcin, Governor, 1709-17. 73

constantly in contest against the judgment of good men. Penn,
having already reproved him in 1707 for his "false alarm " and
his gross immoralities, wrote him that* he was superseded by
Colonel Charles Gookiu, who arrived at Philadelphia January
31, 1709.

'Evans had his residence at Fairman's Mansion at Shacka-
maxon, a place for which Penn always had a strong liking.

CHAPTER XVIII.

CHARLES GOOKIN, GOVERNOR, 1709-17.

On the morning of February 1st, 1709, Governor Evans and
the Council turned over their authority to Lieutenant-Governor
Gookin in the market-place, where the commission was read,
with acclamations of the populace. The Council gave him a
public "treat."

The Assembly met on the 7th of March, and the new governor
was asked that Evans should be prosecuted for his misconduct,
his false alarm, and for instituting courts without the authority
of the Assembly. The Assembly adjourned to meet on the 20th
of April, but was called together on the 12th by writs from the
governor, when Governor Gookiu endeavored to conciliate the
feelings of the members, who had not met the new governor with
the most friendly feelings. An act was passed regulating the cur-
rency according to the new schedule in England, but it met with
no favor, and was repealed in 1713. Charges were renewed
against Logan, followed by complaints and quarrels lasting
through the year about the taxes, granting of pardons, titles to
lands, etc.

The queen having fitted out an expedition to retake Newfound-
land and Canada, Pennsylvania was called on for 150 men and
officers and £4000. The Assembly evaded this by offering to
present the queen £500 as a part of her revenue. Gookin be-
came angry, and said the turbulence was kept up by half a dozen
men, and he would only treat with the Assembly hereafter in
writing. With wrangling and recriminations the House ad-
journed, and sent a message to the queen explaining their
conduct.

Early in May a French privateer plundered the town of Lewes,
and in July another one made a second attempt, was driven oif,
and started up the bay. The governor issued a proclamation
forming a militia composed of all men between sixteen and sixty
years of age, and that all men should provide themselves with
arms.

The spirit of antagonism to the Proprietary's interests still

f4 Annals of Philadelphia.

showed itself in further attacks upon James Logan, whom the As-
sembly ordered to be confined in jail ; but {\\q governor and Coun-
cil decided that the Assembly had no right to attach a Council-
man ; besides, as this Assembly had not b(!en called by the gov-
ernor, it was not a legal body ; the governor therefore ordered
the sheriff not to arrest Lojjan.

It was in this year that Sprogell laid claim to the Germantown
lands of the Frankfort Company, on account of an alleged pur-
chase in Germany from the owners, and the remarkable state-
ment was made that he had retained all the lawyers (four), and
none could be found to defend against his claim. Pastorius and
Jawert, successors to Kelpius and agents of the company, laid a
statement of the facts before the governor and Council, who
ordered the judgments reversed.

During 1710 the Assembly met twice, but the governor would
not recognize it, and nothing was done. But in October a new
election was held, when members more in keeping with the Pro-
prietary's interest were elected, not a member of the old Assembly
having been returned. The new Assembly met in November,
and the governor congratulated them and promised hearty co-
operation. A long letter was received from Penn on the 20th,
expressing his grief at the dissensions, stating what he had done
for them, and regretting their ill-treatment of him. The Assem-
bly twice adjourned until January 1, 1711.

In 1710-11 a new market was built for the butchers' use; the
new coui-t-house at Second and High streets was perhaps first
used ; a petition was presented from the best citizens asking for
extended powers to the city corporation ; a tax-bill was passed:
single men and servants were taxed extra; a duty of 40s. was put
upon imj>orted negroes; duty was imposed on imported rum and
wine, and on cider.

The Assembly was called July 10 to raise £2000 for a quota
of men and money for an expedition against Canada under Col-
onel Nicholson. Contrary to previous demands, it was raised,
and, unfortunately for their patriotism, the expedition proved
unsuccessful and was the last attemj)ted.

In 1712 an attempt was made to discourage the importation
of negroes by placing a tax of £20 on each head. But England,
desirous of forcing slavery on the colonies, would not ajjprove the
law. During this year several conferences were held with the
Indians; the mayor advised providing buc^kets, hooks, and engines
for fires ; overseers of the highways were directed to receive Is.
6c/. per day from such inhabitants as did not want to labor on the
streets; steps were taken to establish a house of employment; and
the next year the Friends established an almshouse for their poor.
Also, an act was passed for the limitation of actions ; another for
establishing orj)hans' courts; one for the tearing down of the jail
on High below Second, and building a new one at Third and High

Charles Gookin, Governor, 1709-17. 75

streets ; the water-courses of the streets were arranged ; and the
grand jury declared the drawbridge over Dock Creek needed
rej)airs.

The Assem])ly met in 1714 in January, and adjourned several
times without accomplishing any business until August, when but
little business was done. On the 23d of October news of Queen
Anne's death was received, and King George I. was proclaimed
in the market-place. In 1715 but little business was done by the
Assembly. An)ong the acts passed was one allowing appeals from
the supreme court to Great Britain within eighteen months ; an-
other for acknowledging and recording deeds; several acts were
again passed against slavery, but disallowed in England. A ferry
to Gloucester and one to Cooper's were established ; pumps were
allowed to be put down by any one paying 1,9. yearly rent for
twenty-one years.

A challenge to fight a duel sent by Sheriff Peter Evans to
Rev. Francis Phillips created a stir, as well as Phillips's boast of
intimacy with some reputable ladies. The sheriff arrested him,
but his friends created a riot, and Phillips was released. Gover-
nor Gookin supported Phillips, but he was dismissed from his
curacy. The governor also protected Hugh Lowden, who had
endeavored to murder two of the justices of the court of common
pleas. These acts, with various others, were having the tendency
to lower Governor Gookin in public estimation, and many com-
plaints were sent to the home government.

This year many visits were paid by the Indians, and councils
were held.

In 1716 the governor desired something should be raised to-
ward his support, saying for eight years' service he had received
but little, and that unless he was allowed more he would solicit
his recall ; the Assembly voted him £100. A misunderstanding
arose between the governor and Richard Hill, Speaker of the
House and mayor of the city, Gookin having said Hill was
disaffected to His Majesty King George. Logan also com-
plained that Gookin had represented him to be a Jacobite and
friend to the Pretender. The House considered the cases, and
declared there was no ground for the governor's charges, and
specified ma,ny causes of comjilaint against him.

The Council this year fined a number of respectable people for
having their chimneys fired ; some paid in buckets, others in lad-
ders. Wharf-dues were established.

In 1717, Governor Gookin having again asked for support,
£200 Avas voted to him ; the House then adjourned on the 16th
of May, and Governor Gookin was recalled by the home govern-
ment.

76 Annals of Philadelphia.

CHAPTER XIX.

SIR WILLIAM KEITH, GOVERNOR, 1717-26.

SiE William landed at Philadelphia May 31st, 1717, and
was well received by the authorities, and proclaimed governor.
He was a man of complaisant manners, and won the good o|)in-
ions and feelings of the people, so that by the time of the calling
together of the Assembly, on the 19th of August, they were will-
ing to promptly vote him £500 for his support and £50 for house-
rent. At the meeting of the Assembly in October the large
immigration of foreigners, especially of German Mennonists and
Palatines, began to excite attention and alarm. These most
worthy additions to the population were required to take an
oath or an equivalent of being well affected toward His INIajesty's
government. Many proved to be the most valuable citizens.

James Logan wrote that there were upward of 1500 pirates
afloat, and that they were so numerous as to create fears of an
attack on the city ; and a proclamation offering rewards for
their capture was issued.

Among the minor matters of the year was the claim for two
patents from the king for fourteen years to Thomas Masters for
"cleansing, curing, and refining of Indian corn," and for " work-
ing and Aveaving in a new method palmetto, chip, and straw for
covering hats and bonnets." In a competition for the office of
vendue-master between Joseph Antrobas and George Claypoole,
the former was reconfirmed. A "ducking-stool and house of
correction for the just punishment of scolding, drunken women,
as well as divers other profligate and unruly persons," was
recommended.

In 1718 the pirates continued their depredations, while some
gave themselves up to the authorities and received their pardons,
and a vessel was brought in by some pirates who escaped from
their fellows, well armed with great guns, swivel-guns, pistols,
etc. Two sloops were sent down the bay, but made no captures.
It was suspected some of those who gave themselves up remained
as confederates.

William Penn died July 30, 1718, and his son, William, Jr.,
sent over to Governor Keith to have himself proclaimed as Pro-
prietary. The governor communicated the intelligence to Council
Nov. 30th, and commemorated the Founder's death by a military
funeral and other ceremonies. He declined, with the advice of
the Assembly, to proclaim William, Jr., until the result of cer-
tain lawsuits that were commenced was settled, and acted as gov-
ernor, under the legitimate authority of Hannah Penn as executrix,
until June 22, 1726, when he was supplanted by Major Patrick
Gordon.

(For history of the colonial governors see Vol. II. 273-278.)

ADDITIONS AND EMENDATIONS

TO YOLUME I.

1 * 71

ADDITIONS AND EMENDATIONS TO VOL. I.

In 1681, also, p. 4.— In 1638.

P. 4, Note. — Campanius the historian probably was never in
this country, having himself derived his information from his
grandfather, Avho resided here, and from his father ; and is in
many other particulars incorrect.

Swedes in 1631, p. 6.— They did not arrive till 1637 or '8.

Captain Kornelis, etc., p. 6. — Captain Mey was not "the first
explorer of our bay and river." Hudson first discovered it, 1609;
Lord de la War touched at it in 1610; Mey first explored the
bay in 1615, and Captain Hendrickson first explored the river.
The Schuylkill was discovered in 1616 by Captain Hendrickson
in the schooner " Restless," he leaving Delaware Bay and ascend-
ing the river August 18th. (See Annals Penna., p. 6.)

Name of Hinlopen, p. 7. — It is so called in 1612 in a letter of
Captain Asgill {N. Y. Hist. Soc. Transactions). The eastern cape
was called Cape May, the western Cape Cornells, while the prin-
cipal cape was named Hindlopen. The Cape Hen! open of to-
day is the one then called Cornells.

Because of his death, etc., p. 7. — It could not have been the
latter, because the Delaware is so called in a letter of Asgill
in 1612.

The Swedes claim, etc., p. 8. — The Swedes did not arrive till
1638, and Fort Casimir was built by the Dutch in 1651. Printz
did not arrive till 1643, and these buildings could not have been
made.

Fort on Tenecum Island, etc., p. 9. — Shortly after Gov. Printz's
arrival he sought a place for a permanent residence and for forti-
fying the river. He chose the island of Teneko (now Tinicum),
and built the fort of New Gottenberg, of very heavy hemlock
logs. He also built a mansion for himself and family which
was very handsome, with a fine orchard, a pleasure-house, and
other conveniences, which he called Printz Hall. On this island
the principal inhabitants had their dwellings and plantations.
Fort New Gottenberg was accidentally destroyed by fire in De-
cember, 1645, M'ith all the buildings in it, and all the powder and
goods blown up. It happened in the night, by the negligence of
a servant, who fell asleep, leaving a candle burning. It must
have been rebuilt, for the Dutch destroyed one in 1655.

80 Annals of Philadelphia.

ANNIVERSARY OF BURLINGTON'S SETTLEMENT.

Burlington, p. 10. — On December 6th, 1877, the city of Bur-
lington, New Jersey, celebrated the two hundredth anniversary of
its settlement. In the morning one hundred guns were fired,
hundreds of flags waved, the military turned out about one thou-
sand members, the steam fire-companies joined in the parade, and
many organizations.

A second salute of one hundred guns was fired at noon, and
at three o'clock the commemorative exercises were held in Birch's
Opera-House. The Rt. Rev. William H. Odenheimer, bishop
of Northern New Jersey, opened the exercises with prayer. Hon.
J. Howard Pugh, M. D., of Washington, then congratulated the
people of Burlington on the rare privilege of celebrating their
second centennial, and, after music by the Orpheus Club of Phil-
adelphia, the orator of the day, Henry Armitt Brown, Esq., of this
city, delivered an oration replete with historical interest, sparkling
"with brilliant gems of thought and flights of rare eloquence:

" There are few events in American history more interesting
than that which we commemorate to-day. There are few stories
more honorable than that which I shall have to tell. There can
be no anniversaries more worthy to be observed than this, which
marks the peaceful planting of a people, the founding of a free
and happy commonwealth. The life of old Burlington has been
a modest one. She sings no epic song of hard-fought fields and
gallant deeds of arms ; she has no tales of conquest, of wxll-won
triumphs, of bloody victories. Seated in smiling meadows and
guarded by the encircling pines,'her days have been full of quiet-
ness and all her paths of peace. The hand of time has touched
her forehead lightly. The centuries have flown by so softly that
she has hardly heard the rustle of their wings. The stream of
years has flowed before her feet as smoothly as the broad bosom
of her own great river by whose banks she dwells. But her his-
tory is none the less worthy to be remembered, for it is full of
those things which good men rejoice to find in the character of
their ancestors — of a courage meek but dauntless, a self-sacrifice
lowly but heroic, a wisdom humble and yet lofty, a love of hu-
manity that nothing could quench, a devotion to liberty that was
never shaken, an unfaltering and childlike faith in God. And it
is right that it be remembered by those who enjoy the blessings
which such qualities have won. ' I wish,' wrote one who had
witnessed the beginning, describing in her old age the dangers and
trials of her youth — * I wish that they who may come after may
consider these things.' Sevenscore years have gone since that was
written. The heart that held that hope has long been still. The
hand that wrote those words has been motionless for more than a
century, and the kindred to whom they were addressed have vanish-
ed from the earth. But here to-day, in that ancient town, strange-

Burlington Anniversary. 81

ly unaltered by the changes of two centuries — here amid scenes with
which those venerable eyes were so familiar — we who have ' come
after' have assembled to fulfil that pious wish, to 'consider those
things' with reverence and gratitude, and take care that they be
held hereafter in eternal remembrance and everlasting honor."

The orator described the sailing of the "Kent" in the year
1677 from England, freighted with "Quakers bound for Ameri-
ca ;" their entering New York harbor on the 6th of August, 1677 ;
their interview with "Sir Edmund Andros, the duke of York's
lately-appointed governor of his territory," who gives them per-
mission, under certain conditions, to set sail for the Delaware;
their landing at New Castle, from which place they prospected for
a permanent settlement, and their final choice of Burlington.

"A broad and imposing main street was opened through the
forest, running at right angles to the river, southward with the
country. It is probable that it did not at first extend very far
past the place at which we are gathered now. Another, crossing
it, ran lengthwise through the middle of the island, and a third
was opened on the bank. The town thus laid out was divided
into twenty properties — ten in the eastern part for the Yorkshire
men, and ten in the western for the London proprietors. All
liands went at once to work to ])repare for the winter. Marshall,
a carpenter, directed the building, and the forest began to resound
with the blows of his axe. A clearing was made on the south
side of the main street, near Broad, and a tent pitched there as a
temporary meeting-house. In a short time the settlement began to
have the appearance of a town, and when worthy of a name, in mem-
ory of a village in old Yorkshire, was christened * Burlington.' . . .

"The soil fertile, the climate healthy, the situation good, and
the Indians friendly, the little settlement soon became a prosperous
colony. Ships began to come with emigrants from different parts
of England — the ' Willing Wind,' from London, with sixty pas-
sengers; the 'Flieboat' Martha, from the older Burlington, with
one hundred and fourteen; the 'Shield,' from Hull, and several
more besides. It is this last one of which the story is told that
tacking too near the high shore called 'Conquannock,' her masts
caught in an overhanging tree, and her passengers, unconscious of
the Philadelphia that was soon to be, were struck with the beauty
of the site and spoke of its fitness for a town.

" Here on the threshold of your history I must stop. My talk
is finished, and my duty done. How could I hope to tell the
story of two centuries? — how in Colonial days great men as gov-
ernors lived in Burlington ; how Council and Assembly met in
the now-vanished court-house, before whose door one day George
Whitefield preached ; how, in a darker time, the Hessians camped
in a meadow beyond Yorkshire bridge ; how the Whigs knocked
one night at Margaret Norris's door, and the Tory parson hid.
trembling in the 'auger-hole;' how patriotic gondolas bonv
VoL. III.— F

82 Annals of Philadelphia.

barded Burlington, and managed to hit a house at Broad and York
streets; how, in the following year, the British, in their turn, opened
the cannonade, and after an hour's firing knocked a hole in Adam
Shepherd's stable near the wharf; how things were quiet for a
little while till Light-Horse Harry Lee came thundering in ?

"And what can I hope to say, in the last moments of so long
a speech, of the inhabitants of a city whose life has not been more
peaceful than her sons illustrious? From the beginning to the
end in times of the Colony, the Province, and State, it has always
been the same. Here were the famous printers, Bradford, the
pioneer, and Isaac Collins, who published the first Jersey news-
paper. Here dwelt Judge Daniel Coxe, who planned a union for
the Colonies full thirty years ere Franklin thought of it and
half a century before the Revolution. Here came Elias Boudinot,
the president of Congress, to pass the evening of his well-spent
life; and in the spacious garden of his house some of you may
have seen his daughter and her friend, those venerable women
who had borne the names of William Bradford and Alexander
Hamilton. Here on a Saturday morning, weary Avith walking
' more than fifty miles,' clad ' in a working dress,' his ' pockets
stuffed out with shirts and stockings,' a boy of seventeen came
trudging into town. Nobody noticed him, except to smile per-
haps, save an old woman who talked to him kindly and sold him
gingerbread. Years afterward he came again to print the money
of the Province, and became the friend of all tlie great men who
dwelt in Burlington, for by that time the world had begun to
hear of Benjamin Franklin. Two other boys belong to Burling-
ton. Born side by side, beneath adjoining roofs, close to this spot
where you are gathered now, both became sailors, but of diiferent
destinies. The elder, after a brief but brilliant life, fell in disas-
trous battle on the deck with that immortal cry upon his lips,
'Don't give up the ship!' The younger lived to a green and
vigorous old age, to make those Jersey names of Fenimore and
Cooper famous for ever in American literature. Count this array
of native or adopted citizens : Ellis and Stockton and Dutton
and Sterling and Woolman and the mysterious Tyler; Franklin,
the Tory governor, and Temple, his accomplished son ; Samuel
Smith, the historian, and Samuel J. Smith, the poet; AVilliam
Coxe, the pomologist, and John Griscom, the friend of learning ;
Shippen and Cole in medicine, and Dean and the Gnmmeres in
education; Bloomfield and McUvaine and Wall in politics; and
at the bar Griffith, Wallace, Reed, two generations of the Mcll-
vaines and four of the name of Kinsey, and those great masters
of the law, Charles Chauncey and Horace Binne}'. Read the
long list of teachers of religion — I name the dead alone — Grellet
and Cox and Hoskins and Mottand Dillwyn among Friends, and
in the Church, Talbot the missionary, the witty Odell, the vener-
able Wharton, the saintlike Mcllvain, and that princely prelate —

BurUngton Anniversary. 83

the most imposing figure of my boyish memories — whose tongue
alone could have done justice to this anniversary.

" Now as I speak of them under the inspiration of those memo-
ries I seem to feel the touch of vanished hands and hear the sound
of voices that are still. Before me rise the scenes of other days.
I see the brilliant Wall, the venerable Grellet, Allen, your mayor
for a quarter of a century, the little form, too small for such a
heart, of William Atkinson, the white head of Thomas Milnor,
the well-beloved face of Courtland Van Rensselaer, and the splen-
did countenance and manly form of him — the friend of many here
— whose name I dare not trust myself to speak. And you, too —
friends of my boyhood's days, Avhom death has crowned with an
inmiortal youth — you, young defenders of my country's honor
— Grubb, Chew, Barclay, Raquet, and Van Rensselaer — on such
a day as this you too shall be remembered.

" My countrymen, the age that saw the birth of yoiir old town
has passed away. The passions that raged about her cradle have
long been dead. The furies of contending creeds have been for-
gotten, and Quaker and Presbyterian, Churchman and Catholic,
rest in her bosom side by side. The twin sycamores by yonder
meeting-house stand guard above a soil enriched with the bones
of six generations of your kindred, and the spire of old St. Mary's
springs from a doubly-consecrated mould. The tree, the ancient
church, the pleasant field, the flowing river, — these shall endure,
but you shall pass away. The lifeless thing shall live and the
deathless die. It is God's mystery. We cannot solve it. That
change that has come to all must come to you, and long before
this story shall be told again you will have followed the footsteps
of your fathers. But still on the banks of the Delaware shall
stand your ancient town. Time shall not harm her, nor age de-
stroy the beauty of her face. Wealth may not come to her, nor
power nor fame among the cities of the earth ; but civil freedom
and liberty of conscience are now her children's birthright, and
she rests content. Happy, indeed, if they can exclaim, with each
recurring anniversary, as their fathei-s did two hundred years ago,
* We are a family at peace within ourselves !' "

The above oration acquires a new but sad interest. The bril-
liant orator is silent. Though young, with a splendid record
already made, and with every promise of a prominent career of
usefulness before him, his tongue was silenced by the hand of
death, through typhoid fever, in the summer of 1878.

A dispute which was not settled with Pennsylvania till 1732, etc.,
p. 10.— Nor till about 1760.

For one, the Amity, etc., p. 13. — This is a mistake; the "Amity"
did not sail till April, 1682. On board of her came Thomas
Holme, surveyor-general, and John Claypoole, his assistant, son
of James Claypoole, afterward treasurer of the Free Society of
Traders. (See J. Claypoole's letter in Hazard's Annals, p. 558.)

84 Annals of Philadelphia.

THE CAPITAL CITY IN 1682.

Such a place was not known, etc., p. 13. — Does not the follow-
ing extract from a letter from James Claypoole's letter-book (in
Dec, 1849, in the possosi«ion of the late J. Parker Foulke, Esq.,
and from which the late Samuel Hazard, the historian, copied it)
rather disprove these assertions? — "I have 100 acres where our
Capital City is to be upon the river near Schuylkill, and Peter
Cock ; there I intend to build my first house." July ^j, 1682, in
London. [Annals Pcnna., 579.) This was written while Penn was
there, and about a month before Penn's departure for Pennsylvania.

In another letter, dated 6th mo. 5th [August], a little before
Penn's departure, he says to a friend in Ireland : " I may hereafter
send thee a map of Pennsylvania, and Wm. Penn's book about it."

It is probable the commissioners had selected the spot and
sent over the necessary information. Under warrant dated 5th
mo. [July], 1682, Thomas Holme, surveyor-general, says: "I
have caused to be surveyed and set out unto David Haman,
in right of Amos Mythol's purchase of 250 acres, his city-lot
between the 5th and 6th streets from Delaware River, and on
the south side of the street called as yet Pool [on account of a
pool there, afterward Walnut] street in the City of Philadelphia,
containing in length 220 feet, bounded on the west with Robert
Uarfs lot, on the east with John Kirk's lot, on the north with
Pool street, and on the south with vacant lots, and containing in
breadth 50 feet; and was surveyed the 6th inst, and accordingly
entered and recorded in my office, and hereby returned into the
governor's secretary's office, Philadelphia, this 10th of the 5th
month, 1682.* Thomas Holme,

Surveyor- General. ^^

Thomas Holme was commissioned by Penn April 18th, 1682,
in England ; he sailed thence about the 23d of April in the ship
" Amity," and probably arrived in June, but a short time before
the above survev. Penn >vas vet in Enorland.

The above record is from " The Book of Records of Warrants
and Surveys No. 14," which is one of the books made in pur-
suance of the act of " for recording warrants and surveys,

and for rendering real estate and propertys within the Province
more secure," ])age 15. This is copied from a copy compared
with the book by J. H. Castle, Esq.

On page 1 of the same book is the following : " Second street
lots from the river as drawn by lot are numbered 1 to 54, with
the names; at foot of 54 is this entry: ' These lots were drawn
before us this 19th of 7th month, 1682,'

" William Markham, Thomas Holme,
"William Haig, Griffith Jones."

* This is correctly from the record, but on comparing it with the original at
Harrisburcr, I find it should l>e 1083.

Gov. William Markhani. 85

(See the purchasers' names in Hazard's Annals Penna., Ap-
pendix.)

So at the end of each of the other drawings — viz., Broad street
lots, Fourth street lots, Bank street lots. Penn had not yet
arrived in Pennsylvania, and did not till 28th of October [10th
mo.].

Instructions to Commissioners of the 14th of October, 16S1, p. 1 3.
— 30th Sept., 1681. (See these instructions at length in Memoiis
Hist. Socy., vol. ii. p. 215, etc.; also Hazard's Annak, p. 527.)

Crispin died in England, etc., p. 13. — In the drawing of city
lots Sept. 19, 1682, Crispin's name occurs several times. How
is it then that he died in England ? Though this is no proof
that he was present; and it may have been drawn for his estate,
he being one of the original jiurchasers. He was appointed a
commissioner both on Sept. 30th and Oct. 14th, 1681. (See
Hazard's Annals.)

.Penn's Workmen, etc., p. 15. — Ralph Smith, Penn's gardener,
died 3d mo. 5th, 1685, and was buried at the burying-place on
the point. James Harrison was one of the executors. [Bucks Co.
Records, Carr.) Henry Gibbs, the governor's carpenter, died
9th mo., 1685, and was buried on the ])oint. (Ibid.)

Proud had assigned the 34th of October, p. 15. — Proud may
have followed a letter of William Penn, in which he says he
arrived on the 24th, but this was probably the date of his arrival
in the bay. His landing at New Castle was Oct. 28th, and he
arrived off there on the 27th, as the records show.

Nicholas Moore, a lawyer, etc., p. 16. — He was a doctor of
medicine. (Claypoole.)

A man like Penn, etc., p. 21. — See Colonial Records, vol. i.
p. 317, for his request to Council to pay six hundred pounds for
building a city house and stocking three plantations.

Till his death, in 1694, P- 23.— Markham died in 1704. (See
Boston Trans.)

William Markham was twenty -one years of age when he
arrived. He is frequently mentioned by Watson, and was an
important man in the earliest days of the Province. He was
deputy governor from April 10, 1681, to Oct. 27, 1682, and from
April 26, 1693, to Dec. 3, 1699; secretary to the governor and
Council from May 28, 1686, to April 26, 1693. He was cousin
to Penn, his first re])resentative, and a soldier by profession.
He died June 11, 1704, and was buried with military honors.
A wife and two married daughters survived him. He lived in
Front street, east side, between Walnut and Spruce streets, in
formerly Jasper Yates's house.

There formerly stood at the north-east corner of Grindstone
alley and Market street a quaint old house which was supposed
to have been a residence of Markham. This old-time building
was for some time the store and dwelling of the late Peter Shad*-,

86 Amuds of Philadelphia.

a well-known brush maker, who carried on an extensive retail
and wholesale business at that locality sixty years ago. Mr.
Shade was originally from the old district of' Sonthwark. For
many years he had a large brush-factory on the north side ot
Spruce street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, nearly opposite
to the present Baptist meeting-house. He removed from Spruce
street to Second and Callowhill, and then to the Governor Mark-
ham house. Whilst residing at the corner of Market street and
Grindstone alley Mr. Shade's daughter was married, in the old
mansion, to Captain John L. Ferguson, a citizen of Sonthwark,
who was well known in the Laguayra trade. Why was this
narrow passage between Church alley and Market street called
Grindstone alley? The Commercial Bank was built about half
a century ago on the site of the old Markham house. This bank
commenced business at No. 102 (old number) Chestnut street,
near its present banking-house. Its first president was Andrew
Bayard (father of Charles P. Bayard, Esq.), who continued in
that office for many years. Among those who were at an early
day in the board of directors were Commodore Richard Dale,
Henry Pratt, John McCrea, Charles X. Bancker, Samuel Archer,
James S. Duval, and William Xewbold ; all these are deceased.

In 1763, John Penn, etc., p. 31. — See Colonial Records, vol.
ix. p. 72 ; his arrival as governor and honors paid to him.

Their first prison, etc., p. 39. — See Colonial Records, vol. i.
p. 408, June, 1694.

Contemporaneous with the structures, etc., p. 39. — See History
of Christ Church, by Dr. Dorr, its pastor, 1853, and Annals
of the Swedes^ Church, by Rev. J. C. Clay, its pastor, 1853 —
now an Episcopal church.

Penn's instructions, etc., p. 42. — See these at length in Annals
Penna., p. 531.

Pemi in his letter, p. 43. — See it at full length in Hazard's
Annals Penna., p. 522. It is dated Sept. 4, '81.

Such as Edward Drinker's, p. 44. — Should be John.

Minutes of Council, p. 58. — These minutes were published by

Councils in one large volume in . There are many chasms

in them, and they do not begin till 1704, whereas the city was
chartered in 1701; the previous ones are therefore missing.
Where are ^/je^/ ,^ The extracts pul)lished \n Register of Penna.
were copied by S. Hazard from the original minutes.

C. Willing, p. 64. — Died Nov. 30, 1751, aged forty-five, and
was buried in Christ Church ground, Fifth and Arch streets.

Mayors of Philadelphia, p. 'oQ. — Oct. 25, 1701 : " And I do
nominate Edward Shippen to be the present mayor, who shall
continue until another be chosen, as is hereinafter directed."
(Penn's Charter.)

On pp. 336, 337 of A^ol. I. of this work a petition is alluded
to as signed by " Humphrey Murrey, mayor ;" and also proceed-

Mayors of the OUy.

ings of a meeting of governor and Council 3d of 6th mo., 1691,
where the application of Hugh Murrey, mayor, is considered.
Where does Watson find them ? They are not printed in Colo-
nial Records. If they are correct, the city Avas incorporated
before 1691. A committee was appointed 20th of 5th mo.,
1684, to bring in "a charter for Philada. as a borough." (See
Col. Records, vol. i. p. 117.)

Anthony Morris, October, 170J^, p. 66.— Should be "12th Oc-
tober, 1703." Anthony Morris, mayor elect of this city, in pur-
suance of the charter, for the following year, presented himself,
with the aldermen and Common Council, made a solemn promise
of fidelity to the queen, took the declaration of his abhorrence of
popery, and the test for his qualification, etc. (Colonial Records,
vol. ii. p. 104.)

B. Shoemaker (p. 66) died June, 1767, aged sixty-three, and
was buried in Quaker grounds. He had been one of the Su-
preme Executive Council and treasurer of the city, as well as
mayor. (See Penna. Chron., June 22 to 29, 1767.)

T. Willing, 1763, p. 66.— He died 19th January, 1821, aged
eighty-nine; born Dec. 19, 1731, O. S. ; and was buried in
Christ Church ground. Fifth and Arch streets. He was secre-
tary of congress of delegates at Albany ; mayor of Philadel-
phia, 1763; member of Assembly; president of Provincial
Congress ; delegate to Congress of Confederation ; president
of Bank of North America and of first Bank of the United
States.

MAYORS OF PHILADELPHIA.

place

1701.
1703.
1704.
1705.
1706.
1707.
1709.
1710.
1711.
1712.
1713.
1714.
1717.
1719.
1722.
1723.
1724.
1725.

give a correct list of the mayors of the city, to take the
of the one as given by Watson, Vol. I. p. 66 :

Edward Shippen.
Anthony Morris.
Griffith Jones.
Joseph Wilcocks.
Nathan Stanbury.
Thomas Masters.
Richard Hill.
William Carter.
Samuel Preston.
Jonathan Dickinson.
George E,och.
Richard Hill.
Jonathan Dickinson.
William Fishbourne.
James Logan.
Clement Plumsted.
Isaac Norris.
William Hudson.

Charles Read.
Thomas Lawrence.
Thomas Griffitts.
Samuel Hassel.
Thomas Griffitts.

1734. Thomas Lawrence.

1735. William Allen.
Clement Plumsted.
Thomas Griffitts.
Anthony M. Morris.
Edward Roberts.
Samuel Hassel.
Clement Plumsted.

1742. William Till.

1743. Benjamin Shoemaker.

1744. Edward Shippen.

1745. James Hamilton.

1746. William Atwood.

1726
1727
1729
1731
1733

1736
1737
1738
1739
1740
1741

Annals of Philadelphia.

1748.
1749.
1750.
1751.
1752.
1753.
1754.
1755.
1756.
1758.
1759.
1760.
1761.
1762.
1763.
1764.
1765.
1767.
1769.
1771.
1773.
1774.
1775.
1789.
1790.
1791.

1792.
1796.
1798,
1800.

Charles AViUing.

Thomas Lawrence.

William Plumsted,

Robert Strettell.

Benjamin Shoemaker.

Thomas Lawrence.

diaries Willing.

William Plumsted.

Atwood Shute.

Thomas Lawrence.

John Stamper.

Benjamin Shoemaker.

Jacob Duche.

Henrv Harrison.

Thomas Willinp".

Thomas Lawrence.

John Lawrence.

Isaac Jones.

Samuel Shoemaker.

John Gibson.

William Fisher.

Samuel Rhoads.

Samuel Powel.

Samuel Miles.

John Barclay, when the
mayors commenced to
occupy the new City
Hall, Fifth and Chest-
nut streets.

Matthew Clarkson.

Hilary Baker.

Robert W^harton.

John Inskeep.

1801.
1805.
1806.
1808.
1810.
1811.
1812.
1813.
1814.
1819.
1820.
1824.
1828.
1829.
1830.
1831.
1832.
1838.
1839.

1841.
1844.
1845.
1849.
1850.
1854.

1856,
1858.
1865.
1868.
1871-

Matthew Lawler.

John Inskeep.

Robert Wharton.

John Barker.

Robert Wharton.

Michael Keppele

John Barker.

John Geyer.

Robert Wharton.

James X. Barker.

Robert Wharton.

Joseph Watson.

George M. Dallas.

Benjamin W. Richards.

William Milnor.

Benjamin W. Richards

John Swift.

Isaac Roach.

John Swift,
elected bv

John ^1. Scott.

Peter McCall.

John Swift.

Joel Jones.

Charles Gilpin.

Robert T. Conrad, first
mayor of the consoli-
dated city.

Richard Vaux.

Alexander Henry.

Morton McMichael.

Daniel M. Fox.
-1879. William S. Stokley.

first mayor
the people.

Gabriel Thomas's Account, p. ■<66. — A facsimile of this work
was published by J. W. Moore of this city in 185- ; a small
thin volume which sold at first for §1.50, the original having
become very rare, and the reprint is now also scarce.

And there are other wharfs, p. 72. — See Col. Records, vol. i. p.
267, where permission is asked by Humphrey Murrey, Philip
Richards, Philip James, and William Lee "to build a wliarf on
the side of Delaware River against the end of Chestnut street,"
26th 1st mo., 1689.

For some time tvitliout inluibiiants, p. 74. — This is not correct;
he found several settlements near Chester, New Castle, Burling-
ton were all settled before his arrival, and many persons had set-
tled on the Schuylkill, and in Bucks, at Shakamaxon, Wiccacoe

Commerce of the City. 89

etc. Several churches had been built. The population was about
two thousand. (Gordon's Penna., p. 59.)

Note, p. 74. — Tiiis MSS. History of Pennsylvania was pub-
lished in Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania, vol. i. This first
volume is in possession of the New Jersey Historical Society.

James Logan's letter to the Proprietaries, p. 79. — See Colonial
Records, vol. iii. p. 372, etc.

Heylin's Cosmography (p. 86) is also in the library of the
Athenseum.

P. 86. The duke's deed of sale is dated the S4.th of August —
not the 20th.

Note, p. 86. — The records at Albany were carefully examined
by Samuel Hazard when preparing his Annals of Pennsylvania.
Of them he says : " I have examined them pretty thoroughly ;
there are twenty-six or twenty-seven volumes, translated by Van-
derkemp, besides proceedings of courts, etc. ; to these have been
added the fruit of J. R. Brodhead's special mission, sixteen vol-
umes of Holland documents, and volumes of London and French
documents, now being translated by Mr. O'Callaghan, and about
to be printed by the Legislature. They contain a great deal about
Pennsylvania, much of which I have introduced into my Amuils."
(S. H., 1849.)

P. G. Johnson (p. 88) died while on a journey at New Haven,
in 1850, aged eighty.

THE BOARD OF TRADE.

The Commerce of the City, p. 88. — The vast increase of the
commerce of the city has led to the formation of various boards
and organizations of merchants interested in commerce, who have
supervision of it generally and of the various branches of it.
Amongst the most prominent and important is the Board of
Trade, who hold quarterly meetings of the members and monthly
meetings of the executive council. The latter have the constant
and active supervision of all matters of commercial interest, and
are appointed monthly from the members. Among some of the
advantages derived from the actions and suggestions of this board
we will only mention —

" The committee of this Board on Foreign and Coastwise Com-
merce has for the five years last ])ast given special attention to
the improvement of the Delaware liiver and Bay, for the pur])oses
of navigation, and has at all times been ready to co-operate with
committees of other associations for that object ; and the purpose
of this report is to show what has hitherto been done in the
premises and to indicate further requirements.

" The results hitherto obtained are as follows : The depth of
water in the lower Schuylkill, and especially at its mouth, has been

90 Annals of Philadelphia.

increased by dredging there, as lias also been the channel across
Fort Mifflin bar and near the npper end of the Bulkhead Shoal.

"A substantial lighthouse has been built and lighted on the
Cross-Ledge Shoal, in the lower bay, and another higher up, on
the Ship John Shoal.

" Two lighthouses, forming a range, have been erected on the
Delaware shore below New Castle, and two on the Jersey shore
at or near Deepwater Point. These lights serve as guides to the
navigator to considerable distances up and down the river, and
when the lights on both shores are in range at the same time they
indicate the turning-point for ships at the upper part of the Bulk-
head Shoal, above Fort Delaware,

"Other range lights ai'e in course of construction farther down
the river — two on the Delaware shore, below Port Penn, and two
on the Jersey shore, at Finn's Point — intended for guides to ships
around Dan Baker Shoal.

" A fog-whistle has been placed at Reedy Island, and another
at Cape Henlopen, and assurance has been given by the Light-
house Board that the lightboat now in use on the Five-Fathom
Bank, outside the capes of the Delaware, shall soon be replaced
by a larger one having on board a powerful fog-whistle. Such
a whistle there would be of great service to vessels coming into
and departing from the Delaware in thick weather, and also to ves-
sels plying to and fro between New York and Southern ports.

"Range lights have also been placed to guide vessels out and
in over the bar at the mouth of the Schuylkill.

"The works already completed, as above named, have greatly
facilitated navigation in our waters, but others are needed to
make the facilities com])lete — viz. :

"A lighthouse in the Delaware on the Joe Flogger Shoal;

" Range lights to guide around the Cherry Island Shoal ;

" A lighthouse on the lower end of Tinicum Island, above
Chester ;

" And range lights on the shore below Gloucester to guide
ships through the Horseshoe.

"When these additional lights have been obtained the navi-
gable waters between our city and the sea can be traversed by
ships at night with less difficulty than they were a few years
ago by day."

Our own archives at Harrishurg, etc., p. 89. — After this was
written the late Samuel Hazard was employed by the State to
select such documents as were worthy of {)reservation and pub-
lication, which were published in the Colonial Records, 16 vols.
8vo, and the Pennsylvania Archives, 10 vols. — monuments of
his industry and perseverance and of the State's liberality.

When the "Wilcox" store in Water street above Walnut was
pulled down in 18 — , an immense number of old records and
papers were thrown into the street, which was then very muddy,

Histories — Free Traders. 91

Hf. it was raining at the time. From many which were collected
it would a))pear tliey were relating either to the Land or the Sec-
retary's office. My father collected several — one a letter from
Hannah Penn to her son William. It was an immense and un-
pardonable destruction of old papers which cannot be recovered,
and might have been preserved if known in season. — W. P. H.

Joseph Shi'ppen, p. 89. — He was the son of Edward Shippen,
the first mayor, and resided in Germantown for many years in
what was afterward known as the Buttonwood Tavern. He was
a scientific man and a member of the Junto. He died in 1741,
aged sixty-two.

P. 91. The Narrative by John Watson; Dutch records from
1630 to 1656 ; MSS. copies of Swedish records ; Minutes of Coun-
cil, 1748 to 1758. The above were all republished in Hazard's
Register of Pennsylvania, 16 vols. 8vo. Clay's Annals of the
Swedes, Ferris's Original Settlements on the Delaware, Montgomery's
Reminiscences of Wilmington, Hazard's Annals of Pennsylvania,
and the History of New Siceden, by Thomas Campanius Holm,
usually called Campanius' s History, printed in Memoirs of the His-
torical Society of Pennsylvania, vol. iii., are the principal books
which have been published in relation to our early Swedish history.
They will all be found in the Philadelj)hia Library.

Province of Pennsylvania, p. 92. — A portion of this is pub-
lished by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in their 3Iemoirs.

Holm's New Swedeland, p. 92. — The Historical Society of
Pennsylvania, in vol. iii., pp. 1-166, have published the entire
work of T. Campanius Holm, translated by P. S. Duponceau.

P. 92. Graydon's Memoirs has been republished several times —
once in 184-, with notes by John S. Littell.

Minutes of Council, p 92. — Mr. Watson was mistaken about
the valuable and interesting contents of these minutes. They were
from 1683 to 1790, and were reprinted by the Legislature at the
suggestion of the Pennsylvania Historical Society by acts of
1850-52, under the supervision of Samuel Hazard, as mentioned
in a previous note.

The London Society of Fr-ee Traders, p. 94. — This society in
the course of a few years ceased to actively pursue its franchises
as a corporation. In 1722 an act of Assembly was passed vesting
all the rights of the society in Charles Reed, Job Goodson, Evan
Owen, George Fitz water, and Jose})h Pidgeon, merchants, of
Philadelphia, in trust for the use of the persons interested in the
said society on the 24th of March, 1681, or at any time since, with
power to dispose of all lands, etc. Under this authority the whole
tract of ground lying between Spruce and Pine streets, from the
Delaware to the Schuylkill, three hundred and sixty-six feet in
width, was disposed of. It had been originally granted to them
in 1684, and the patent was dated August 3, 1692. The eastern
front of this ground was called Society Hill. (See Vol. I., p. 484.)

92 Annals of Philadelphia.

Deaths in the City, p. 99. — Watson does not exactly state the
number of deaths for 1731 correctly. A committee of the House
in 1752, presenting statistics to show the necessity for more paper
currency, said : " In the year 1722 the burials in Philadelphia of
all ages, sexes, and colors amounted to no more than 188, an exact
account for that year being published monthly. Of the preceding
and next following years we find no account; but from November
20, 1729, to November 20, 1730, the burials were 244; and from
November 18, 1731, to November 16, 1732, they were 254, not-
withstanding that in the intermediate year the small-pox, then rag-
ing in the town, had alone carried off nearly 240 persons, and
swelled the bill for that year to 490. From thence to 1738 no ac-
count is come to our hands; but from December 25, 1738, to De-
cember 25, 1744, the burials amounted to 3179, which, being at
a medium of 454 per annum, shows the great increiise of inhab-
itants to that time; and since 1744 the increase is thought rather
to have exceeded that proportion."

Poor PichanVs Almanac for 1750, speaking of the above statis-
tics, says : " Excluding the Dutch Palatines, who, crowded on
shipboard, contracted many diseases, the deaths for the seven years
is about 2100, -which is 300 per annum ; by which we should
have had nearly 10,500 inhabitants during these seven years at
a medium; for in a healthy country (as this is) political arith-
meticians compute those who die yearly at one in thirty-five.
But in these last five years, from 1744, the town is greatly in-
creased In 1748-9 the dwelling-houses in Philadelphia

were 2076. The following summer there arrived twenty-four or
twenty-five sail of ships Nvith German families, supposed to bring
near twelve thousand souls;" which was adding to the material
for increasing the ])Oj)ulation very fast.

^' Filthy-dirt)/,'^ p. 101. — In the early history of the city, even
to 1750, the condition of the streets was deplorable. Diseases
were engendered and increased by the quantities of stuff allowed
to accumulate in them, and the records show how fatal and fre-
quent the pestilences of those days were. Dirt and filth were
thrown into the gutters until the pa&sage of the water in them
would be stopped. Tradesmen would throw refuse into the streets,
and it was a common practice for hatters and shoemakers *' to cast
]ielts, tails, and offelts of the fur into the principal streets and al-
leys, the ends of leather, etc., so that they bred vermin." In 1750,
Mayor Lawrence issued his proclamation ordering that each citizen
should collect the dirt before his premises for removal. Hogs
were allowed to run at large in the streets, even within ray time,
until some thirty years ago.

The One-penny Bills of Bank of North America, p. 104. — I
have two, obtained when the old building was being removed.
The office was temporarily removed to Chestnut street above
Fourth, between the Custom-House and the Philadelphia Bank.

The Residence of Dr. Rittenhouse. 93

The ground of Dr. Rittenhouse, etc., p. 104. — The name of the
celebrated self-taught mathematician and astronomer, David Rit-
tenhouse of Philadelphia, was lately prominently mentioned in
connection with the erection of a statue in the government Pan-
theon which Congress has ordered to be formed by the presenta-
tion from each State of the figures of two of its ilkistrious men.
At the same time the old house in which Rittenhouse dwelt for
so many years is undergoing a partial tearing-out, in order tliat it
may be extended and reconstructed for the purpose of being an-
nexed to a hotel adjoining. Situated at the north-west corner of
Seventh and Arch streets, erected about the year 1787, and bear-
ing a quiet, solid, old-fashioned appearance, it has been long known
to Philadelphians of a past generation by the belligerent name of
'* Fort Rittenhouse." It was here, in the year 1809, that the
governments of the United States and State of Pennsylvania came
into a conflict that at one time threatened to be bloody and de-
structive. Rittenhouse, who during the Revolution occupied the
office of treasurer of the State, had deposited with him funds in
a prize-money case which were claimed by both governments, and
in which so mischievous a man as Benedict Arnold was originally
interested. Some years subsequent to the deatli of Rittenhouse,
in 1796, the United States, having o])tained judgment from the
courts in its favor, demanded a reimbursement from his execu-
trices, Mrs. Elizabeth Sergeant and Mrs. Esther Waters. Those
ladies, daughters of Rittenhouse, were ordered by the State to re-
tain the money ; and to prevent service of a writ, Pennsylvania
troops were stationed around the mansion at Seventh and Arch
streets for five weeks during the months of March and April,
1809. Finally, United States Marshal John Smith, eluding the
vigilance of the soldiers, succeeded by a strategical movement in
entering the house and serving his writ. The warlike conflict
was over, but the claim was settled only after an additional period
of litigation. Mr. Rittenhouse, who was director of the United
States Mint from 1792 to 1795, resided, it will be seen, within
quite a short distance of that institution, it then being located in
a building which still stands on Seventh street above Filbert.
His astronomical observatory was in the garden attached to his
residence, and under that observatory his body was originally
buried. Some years afterward it was taken up and reinterred in
the ground of the Third Presbyterian Church, at Fourth and
Pine streets.

When Peak, etc., p. 104. — (See Penna. Archives, vol xi. p. 95.)

94 Annals of Philadelphia.

ONE OF THE PEALES.

One of the Peale.s, ]), 104. — Miss Sarah M. Peale, artist, daugh-
ter of James Peale, miniature-painter, and niece of Charles Wil-
son Peale, has lately returned to reside in this city after an absence
of over thirty years in St. Louis and nearly twenty years else-
where. Besides her connection with a family of painters, Miss
Peale's ancestry on the maternal side is traced back to Oliver
Cromwell. Her great-grandfather, John Claypoole, grandson of
the Lord Protector, was one of the seven who accompanied Wil-
liam Penn to America in 1682, and his son, James Claypoole,
built the first brick house in Philadelphia. James Peale had six
children, only three of whom are now living — Miss Sarah, Miss
Margaretta, and the w'idow of General William Duncan. Mrs.
Duncan resides at the south-east corner of Seventh and Wood
streets, and her sisters are with her. The three ladies are far
advanced in years. Miss Sarah being about seventy, although
still having the appearance of mental and physical vigor in her
pleasing face. She has never had necessity for the use of eye-
glasses, and can read fine ])rint by lamplight. In conversation
the old lady is lively and interesting, but her memory of events
that occurred in her youth is not so good as it generally is in
persons of her age. The descendants of the Peales are numerous
in this city.

Miss Peale is self-taught in painting. " My first work," she
says, " was a portrait of myself. My father, when we lived in
Baltimore, mixed the colors and told me to sit before a mirror
and paint it. He left me alone till I had finished; then re-
turned and criticised it, found some fault and said, a little im-
patiently, ' D — n it ! why didn't you do as I told you ?' That
was the only time I ever heard him use anything like pro-
fanity." Subsequently Miss Peale painted with her uncle, in
Philadelphia.

Her portraits had won reputation for excellence, and the Mar-
quis de la Fayette, when on his second visit to this country, in
1825, was among the notable personages who gave her sittings.
Generally five sittings of about two hours each were required for
a portrait. La Fayette, having finished the fourth sitting, visited
the scene of his Revolutionary achievements at Brandywine, and
there, being o-alled upon at once to fulfil an engagement farther
South, he sent a note to Miss Peale with reference to the fifth
sitting. The note was afterward mislaid, and the lady gave it
up as lost. But since her arrival in this city she has found it in
a box of old papers at Mrs. Duncan's house. Although it is
fifty-three years old, tiie paper is well preserved and the ink but
little faded. The writing is on the first page of a sheet of note-
paper, runs gracefully, and is perfectly legible:

The Peak Family. 95

"Brandywine, July 26, 1825.

" I have every day expected the pleasure to wait on Miss S.
Peale, and am obliged now to present a double apology for my
non-attendance, and for my not having answered her note. The
latter she will the better excuse as it was mingled with a daily
hope to present myself to her. I am on my way to Baltimore,
Washington, and Virginia, and will pass at Washington and
Baltimore the ten last days of August, the vicinity of Baltimore
permitting my paying there a visit of at least one full day before
I come back. Should the arrangements of Miss Peale, who is
often at those places, give me an opportunity to wait upon her,
I would be very happy to give her the last sitting she is pleased
to request. I have the honor to otfer to the ladies my best
respects. La Fayette.

" My aifectionate regards wait on the whole family.
" Miss Sarah Peale."

But an opportunity for the fifth sitting never occurred, and the
unfinished portrait was subsequently lost. Later, Miss Peale
painted portraits in Baltimore and Washington, among those
who sat for her being Congressmen Caleb Cushing, Thomas
Benton, Lewis F. Linn, Dixon H. Lewis, Abel P. Upshur,
Henry A. Wise, and William E,. King, who was subsequently
Vice-President of the United States. Of Mr. Cushing the old
lady says : " He was in the Congressional Library. I sent my
card to him. He came out. I requested sittings from him, but
he behaved so rudely that I felt mortified for having asked him.
He promised to sit, however, and named a day when he would
meet me at my house. He came according to appointment. I
was up stairs. When the colored boy who had shown him in
came up to me, I told him to request the gentleman to take a
seat in the parlor. The boy did so, but Mr. Cushing said gruffly,
* Never mind ; I can take care of myself, can't I ?' and he con-
tinued pacing up and down the hall until I presented myself.
Throughout the first and second sittings his conduct was so care-
less and rough as to disgust me. He was vain, too, and very
particular about the color of the dress. To provoke me further,
he demanded to know all about the materials composing the
colors, and spoke as though he knew more of my business than
I did myself. When the picture was finished he said, * Why,
madam, you have made it too handsome.' ' Ah,' I rejilied ironi-
cally, ' but not so handsome as the original.' That sentence
made the vain Senator my firm friend. He at once j^aid me my
price — sixty dollars — and took away the picture. He Nvas so
pleased with it that some days afterward, when I was sitting
with other ladies in the Senate gallery, the Senator, seeing me,
came over and chatted with me so long as to make me feel em-
barrassed, for the eyes of many Senators were upon us."

Not long after Judge Upshur's sittings he was killed by the

96 Annah of Philadelphia.

explosion of the big gun on the " Princeton." Mrs. Upshur then
bought the portrait and bl&ssed the artist for having painted it.
For Dixon H. Lewis, " the fat member from Alabama," Miss
Peale used a canvas thirty inches wide, and yet "couldn't get the
gentleman all on it." The head was right, but the shoulders had
to be painted off. Mr. Lewis weighed four hundred and sixty
pounds. His seat in the Congressional hall was of twice the or-
dinary width. In sitting for the portrait, however, he managed
to get along with an ordinary chair, without letting it divide him
into two equal parts. But, as he said himself, "it was a terrible

When William R. King sat he showed scrupulous care in the
choice of every article of his dress and the manner of its
arrangement. So precise was he in matters of this kind that his
fellow-members rarely called him, outside the halls of Congress,
by any other name than " Miss Betsey."

Shively — above Chestnut, p. 104. — Below?

Wells and pumps, p. 104. — The Green Tree pump was famous
in its day and after 1800. It stood in Front street above Wal-
nut, east side, a few doors above the stores of Robert Ralston.
It was afterward covered over or filled up.

P. 104. See p. 425 for an account of the riot at this house
in 1779.

THE PENN FAMILY.

P. 105. William Penn's mother was Margaret Jasper, a
Dutch woman.

P. 110. William Penn died July 30th, 1718, in his seventy-
fourth year, at Ruscombe, Buckinghamshire. A Aveek afterward
he was buried in the ground of Jordan's Meeting, Buckingham-
shire.

P. 117. There is a letter in the Poultney family dated "29th
day of 2d mo., 1695," by Rees Thomas and Martha Thomas,
and addressed "most dear and tender father," "ffor William
Aubrey att Landbrod in Breckenocke Shire, South Wales, to be
delivered with care," which says : "I and my wife and two chil-
dren are at this ])rcsent time" [in health]. "My son Aubrey
was born y^ 30 day of the 11 month on the fourth day of the
week, 1694; his mother and he now very hearty. I do under-
stand y' thee was not well pleased y' my eldest son was not
called an Aubrey. I will assure thee I was not against it, but
ray neighbors would have him called my name, being 1 bought
y® land and I so beloved amongst them. I do admit to what
thee sayest in thy letter y' an Aubrey was better known than I,
though I am here very well acquainted with most in these parts.

The Penn Family. 97

He is the first Aubrey in Pennsilvania, and a stout boy he is of
his age, being now a quarter. My uncle John Beevan came
over very well, and a good voyage he had."

He then owned land in the township of Merion, county of
Philadelphia, S. E. ; the other land is pretty far in the woods.
Speaks of Edward Prichard's land, also land joining John
Eddy's plantation formerly, and to John Humphreys and to
Philip Price and Morris Lewelen and Stephen Eckly. "Have
built a barn and a shed for cattle and a stable, and am going
to make a stone house for corn, and also built a cellar and one
room with a chimney." 1695 was a hard winter, and cattle
died.

Jlotto of the Penn Arms, p. 121. — The motto of Admiral
Penn, the father of William Penn, M\as Bum c/avurn tenema,
literally, "■ While I hold the helm," meaning, according to in-
ference, " While I hold the helm the ship sails safely." ....
Admiral Sir William Penn, at the time of his death, left two
sons and one daughter. Richard, the younger son, survived
him only three years. William was the elder. His sister
Margaret married Anthony Lowther of Maske, who was a
member of Parliament, and their son became a baronet.

During the American war, etc., p. 126. — A law was passed
November 27, 1779, for vesting the Penn estate in the Prov-
ince, for which the State agreed to pay one hundred and thirty
thousand pounds sterling to the legatees and devisees of Thomas
and Richard Penn, late Proprietaries, and the widow of Thomas
Penn — the first payment to be made in one year after the peace
was signed. On April 2, 1785, the Council, being ready to pay,
order an advertisement for the ])roper parties to appear and re-
ceive tlieir shares. (See Colonial Records, vol. xiv. p. 397.)

P. 126. Granville John Penn, son of Grenville Penn, ar-
rived here in 1852. He was about forty years of age, intelli-
gent, a modest and unassuming man, a little deaf. It was pro-
posed in the Legislature to give him a public reception at Har-
risburg, but it did not carry.

April 13, 1857, Granville J. Penn, after an absence of about
a year, having returned from Europe, presented to the Pennsyl-
vania Historical Society the belt of wampum delivered by the
Indians to William Penn at the Treaty under the Great Tree in
1682, it having been preserved in the family till now. (See the
U. S. Gazette of April, 1857, for an official account of the in-
teresting proceedings at the presentation.)

A very neat lithographic chart of the Penn family, prepared
and distributed to his friends, was published by Thomas Gilpin
in 1852, and dedicated to Gr. J. Penn. Its author, Thomas
Gilpin, an excellent and intelligent man, died March 32, 1853,
and was buried at Laurel Hill.

William Penn's Descendant in America. — The hall of the His-
VoL. III.— G 9

98 Annals of Philadelphia.

torioal Society was visited by the great-great-great-grandson of
William Penn, now resident in London, Peter Penn-Gaskell,
Esq., of Shanagarry Castle in Ireland, and his wife, an English
lady. The party were received by the president and other offi-
cers of the society, and some hf)urs were s})ent in examining the
"Penn Manuscripts" (now contained in about eighty large vol-
umes) and the numerous very curious and authentic memorials
of the founder of our Commonwealth — among them his Bible.
The volume contains an engraved book-plate, with Penn's name
thus given in an antique letter: "William Penn, Esqr., Pro-
prietor of Pennsylvania, 1703."

One of the DescendarUs of Penn. — In 1877 the funeral of
Mary Penn-Gaskell, wife of Dr. Isaac T. Coates of Chester,
Pa., took place from the residence of her mother, No. 4058
Chestnut street, Philadelphia. Deceased was a daughter
of Peter Penn-Gaskell, who was descended from Peter Gas-
kell, the husband of one of William Penn's granddaughters.
At this marriao;e the familv name was changed to Penn-
Gaskell, its members being the only descendants of Penn in
America.

The Penn Society was established about the year 1824 to
commemorate the landing of William Penn. In Independ-
ence Hall is a large ])ortrait of William Penn which was
painted for the Penn Society. (For various accounts of the
commemoration of the landing of William Penn by the Penn
Society, see Hazard's Register, vols. ii. to xvi.) The last account
of a celebration by the society in that publication is in October,
1835. At that time J. Parker Norris was president of the so-
ciety, and Peter S. Duponceau vice-president. The latter, in
his speech on that occasion, said that the society had been in
operation eleven years. It built the small monument at the
Treaty Ground in Kensington in 1827.

The Penn Society celebrated the one hundred and ninety-fifth
anniversary of the landing of William Penn at New Castle on
October 27th, 1877. The celebration ought to have been on
November 7th, 1877, according to new stvle. It was on the
27th of October, 1682 (old style), that the ^Founder arrived at
New Castle. By the reformation of the calendar in 1752 eleven
days were droj)ped, and it is still necessary to drop eleven days,
wdiich ojieration pushes forward a real anniversary or turning of
a year eleven days. Thus, we celebrate the birthday of Wash-
ington— who was born February 11th, old style — on the 22d of
February.

The Character of Penn. 99

THE CHARACTER OF WILLIAM PENN.

The following eloquent address was delivered by the Hon.
Wayne McVeagh before the Penn Club of Philadelphia on the
one hundred and ninety-fifth anniversary of the landing of Wil-
liam Penn, the Founder of Pennsylvania. The audience included
prominent men of the city, and as special guests the members of
the Pennsylvania Historical Society.

Gentlemex : The executive committee of the Penn Club
thought it not unbecoming to gather its friends together upon this
anniversary of the landing of him whose name it bears upon the
soil of the State he founded, and their partiality has devolved
upon me the agreeable duty of expressing the gratification the
members of the club feel at your presence, and the heartiness of
the welcome they desire to ])roffer you. They are especially glad
to receive the learned members of the Historical Society of Penn-
sylvania, and to avail themselves of this opportunity to bear their
testimony to the inestimable value of the distinguished services
that society has already rendered, and the services more distin-
guished, if possible, which it is destined to render, in enlightening
and elevating the patriotism of the citizens of the imperial Com-
monwealth whose early history it has caused to be investigated
with so much patience and illnstrated with so great discernment.
It is, indeed, on no less an authority than my Lord Bacon, who, in
" the true marshalling of the sovereign degrees of honor," assigns
" the first place to the condifores imperioriim, founders of states and
commonwealths;" and cultivated communities have always com-
memorated with pride the virtues of the heroic men who laid the
foundations of their strength and greatness. Apart, however,
from any patriotic interest natural to us, the story of American
colonization is one of the most interesting and attractive episodes
in human history. It was an age of marvellous ambition and
of marvellous achievements; and except those sunny years at
Athens during which the human spirit attained and preserved the
serenest and completest culture it has ever known, perhaps blood
was never less sluggish, thought never less commonplace, lives
never less monotonous, than in the early days of the settlement of
America. Great scientific discoveries had filled the minds of men
with thirst for wider knowledge. Mechanical inventions of price-
less value had awakened in them an eager desire to avail them-
selves of their advantages. By the aid of movable type wise books
could be cheaply printed. By the aid of the manner's compass
great ships could be safely sailed. By the aid of gunpowder vir-
gin lands could be rescued from savage tribes. The illustrious
names of that illustrious time crowd upon our recollection, for
their renown still kindles the flame of a generous emulation in all
the leading departments of virtuous human effort — in art, in ad-
venture, in discovery of new lands, in philosophy, in poctiy, in

72m

100 Annals of Philadelphia.

searching for the secrets of Nature, in subjecting the forces of
Nature to the will of man, in heroism in war by sea and by land,
in sacrifices for liberty of conscience. It cannot therefore do us
harm to stand, as it were, a little while in the ))rescnce of any emi*
nent man of that formative period, and by the contemplation of
his S])irit to quicken our own as by coals of fire from off an altar.
In Sir Thomas More's portrayal of the perfect state we are told
that " they set u}) in the market-place the images of such men as
had been bountiful benefactors to the commonwealth, for the per-
petual memory of their good a(!ts, and also that the glory and
renown of the ancestors might stir and provoke their posterity to
virtue." This is an anniversary of the most momentous event in
the eventful career of him who has been our most bountiful bene-
factor, and we may wisely, therefore, withdraw a few moments from
the social enjoyments of the evening to look once more upon a
likeness of our Founder. It is true that Avhen he landed at Up-
land he entered into possession of a Province which liad before
attracted the attention of great statesmen, and been selected by
them as the theatre of a novel and lofty experiment in govern-
ment ; for it was here that Gustavus Adolphus hoped to secure a
city of refuge for the oppressed, and the sagacious Oxenstiern
hoped to realize his beneficent scheme of colonization; and it was
here that Christina had founded a New Sweden, whose simple-
minded, pious, and frugal citizens purchased the lands they cov-
eted, and tilled them with their own hands, living in peace with
all their neighbors ; but nevertheless the coming of William Penn
was the founding of Pennsylvania, and in spite of all abatement,
though he

Was flamed
For Adam, much more Christ,

yet he was eminently worthy of the greatness of his trust. He
had inherited a distinguished name and a great opportunity. His
grandfather had been a captain in the English merchant service
in the latter years of the reign of Elizabeth, when that service
was jierhaps the best school which ever existed to render men
alert, brave, self-reliant, and capable of confronting any peril
with an equal mind. His father had been raised in the same
school, and had developed at a very early age remarkable capacity
for naval warfare. To this capacity he added a handsome pres-
ence, courtly manners, and such )>olitical virtue as was not incom-
patible with regarding his own advancement as the ]irincij)al duty
of his life. At twenty-one he was a captain in the English navy,
at thirty-one he was vice-admiral of England, at thirty-four he
was a member of Parliament, at forty-three lie wa^ captain-com-
mander under the duke of York, and died shortly after his retire-
ment from the naval board, before he had attained fifty years of
age. The rapidity of In's promotion to great offices is very re-

The Character of Pcnn. 101

markable when it is remembered that he served the Parliament,
Charles I., the Lord Protector, and Charles II., and continued to
rise steadily notwithstanding the civil war and the frequent
changes of administration it produced. He was quite evidently
a worldly-minded man, but he was also wise with the wisdom of
the world, and by adding to his great services the lavor of his
sovereign he laid the foundation of a noble house, needing only
for its security that his son should follow in his footsteps and
with filial piety accept the wealth and rank and fame which were
proffered him. The son had been born near the Tower of Lon-
don while his father was sailing down the Thames to join Lord
Warwick in the Irish seas, and had passed his childhood with his
mother, Margaret Jasper of Rotterdam, at their country-house at
Wamstead in Essex. He was only eleven years of age when his
father returned from the fruitless attack upon Hispaniola and
was consigned to the Tower by Cromwell. But at that early age
he was profoundly impressed by his father's misfortune. When
about sixteen years of age he was sent to Oxford, and was matric-
ulated as a gentleman commoner at Christ Church. At that time
the world certainly appeared to be opening before his youthful
vision in undimmed radiance and beauty. The son of a great
admiral, -who M-as also a great favorite of the king and of his
royal brother, he entered upon his academical career under the
most brilliant auspices. Fond of study and athletic sports, a
diligent reader and good boatman, he easily won liis way to the
esteem of his teachers and the regard of his fellows, and for a
time he satisfied all expectations ; but for students of high intel-
ligence and sensitive conscience venerable and beautiful Oxford,
" spreading her gardens to the moonlight, and whispering from
her towers the last enchantments of the Middle Ages," possesses
a charm which may be a danger. Walking in the spacious mea-
dows of his college or meditating beneath her noble elms, Wil-
liam Penn became possessed by the genius of the place, for the
chief university of the world has always been " the home of lost
causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names, and impos-
sible loyalties." It was while under the influence of this spirit
that he was attracted by the doctrines of George Fox, and for
liis stubborn loyalty to what he was then pleased to call his con-
victions he was finally expelled. To withdraw him as much as
possible from the thoughts upon which he was at that time intent,
his father sent him to the Continent, and at Paris he was pre-
sented at the court of the Grand Monarch and heartily welcomed.
He entered with becoming spirit into the enjoyments of the
French capital, and proved his title to its citizenship by fighting
a duel in its streets. Thence he went to the famous College of
Saumur, where he finished those liberal studies which made him
not only an accomplished linguist, but a man of most varied and
generous culture. He afterward travelled through France and

102 Annals of Philadelphia.

Italy, and returned to England to dance attendance at Whitehall
for a brief period, and to share in the perils of a naval engage-
ment on board the flagship of his father. He afterward devoted
some attention to the law as a student at Lincoln's Inn, but he
soon joined the staff of the duke of Ormond, then viceroy of Ire-
land. While acting in this capacity he saw some military service,
and apparently contracted a strong desire to devote himself to the
career of a soldier. Indeed, he earnestly and repeatedly sought
his father's ])ermission to enter the British army, but the permis-
sion was steadily refused. It was at this interesting period of his
life that the authentic portrait of him now in possession of our
Historical Society was painted — a portrait which dispels many
of the mistaken opinions of his person and his character generally
entertained. It presents him to us clad in armor, of frank coun-
tenance and features delicate and beautiful, but resolute, with his
liair " long and parted in the centre of his forehead," " falling over
his shoulders in massive natural ringlets." This portrait bears
the date of his twenty-second birthday and the martial motto,
"Pax qiueriius bello."

It is to William Penn, as presented by this portrait, that I es-
pecially desire to attract your attention this evening — to AVilliara
Penn as an accomplished cavalier, a ripe scholar, a brave soldier,
and in the full glow of his youthful beauty, the product of the
quiet years of motherly companionship at Wamstead, of the rest-
less, aspiring, combative years at Christ Church, of the gay society
of Paris, of the studious vigils at Saumur, of Italian air and sky,
of the depraved court at Whitehall, of the chambers of Lincoln's
Inn, of the vice-regal staff at Dublin, of the joy of battle on the
deck beside his father in the Channel, or joining as a volunteer in
the attack at Carrickfergus.

This portrait fitly represents him in mail, for his life thencefor-
ward was one long battle, relieved only by the brief repose of his
courtship and his honeymoon in the attractive and historic circle
in which he found his wife — a circle M'hich included Isaac Pen-
nington, Thomas Ellwood, and John Milton. It is not my pur-
pose, as it is not my privilege, to detain you ujion this occasion
with any elaborate statement of his subsequent life or any elabo-
rate estimate of his character. Ample op])ortunity will be afforded
in the recurrence of this anniversary and the celebration of it for
the diligent historical students who honor us with their presence
to-night to arrange the details of that life in lucid order and to
praise his character with discriminating eidogy. Its main outlines
only concern us now, but those outlines are full of instru(!tion and
of interest for us all. We know, and we are glad to know, that
his desire to be useful to his fellow-men could not exhaust itself
even by preaching the gospel as he understood it, in season and
out of season, but that to this great labor of love he added other
like labors scarcely less great. He defended the rights of con-

The Character of Fenn. 103

science. He defended the liberties of Englishmen, He defended
the privileges of jurymen. His first plea for toleration was in
behalf of the sect with which he had the least sympathy. In
obedience to his convictions of the truth of the creed he professed
he endured the anger of his father, the loss of a peerage, separa-
tion from home, opprobrium and contumely from men, and fre-
quent and prolonged imprisonment. While his spirit was being
purified by suffering, his mind was being widened by high con-
verse with John Locke and Algernon Sidney ; and at last, when
all obstacles to the trial of the experiment of his principles of gov-
ernment upon a virgin soil were overcome, he could trutiifully
exclaim, as he received the royal charter for his Province : '' God

hath given it to me in the face of the world He will bless

and make it the seed of a nation." It was therefore very pre-
cious freight which the good ship "Welcome" brought to these
shores the day whose anniversary we celebrate, for it carried the
sublime religious and political principles of AVilliam Penn and
the illimitable influences of his wise and beneficent government,
whose corner-stone was civic peace, born of justice, and whose
cap-stone was religious liberty, born of toleration. There was
doubtless much in his life which was inconsistent with the highest
standards of the religion he professed, but this inconsistency he
shared with every man who professes the Christian faith, and the
contradictions in his career are easily reconciled in the light of his
youth and early manhood ; but his virtue and his glory are his
alone, for in the seventeenth century he discovered and proclaimed
the political utility of liberty, of justice, of peace, of a free press,
and a liberal system of education — the principles on which rest
the blessings of the present and the hopes of the future of the
human race. Whenever, therefore, we are pained with the perusal
of the sad record of his later years, the ingratitude he experienced,
the embarrassments he suffered, the injustice he endured, as we
follow his declining steps to the undistinguished grave where he
lies buried, we may see as in retrospect the long pathway by which
he travelled thither, learn the secret of the divine inspiration by
which the young soldier at its beginning was transformed before
its close into an immortal benefactor of mankind, friend of liberty,
friend of justice, friend of peace, apostle of God.

" Live and take comfort. Thou hast left behind
Powers which will work for thee.
.... Thou hast great allies ;
Thy friends are exultations, agonies, and love,
And man's unconquerable mind."

P. 128. For a short sketch of Caleb Pusey see Proud, vol. i.
p. 337, note, and see Beg. Penna., vol. vii. p. 83. He came
over with William Penn 1682. He lived in Chester countv,

104 Annals of Philadelphia.

and died 12th month, 1725 [February], aged seventy- six. In
1687 he petitions (as keeper of the mill on Chester Creek, so
that he may have built this afterward) the Commissioners of
Property to ))revent Tiiomas Coburn from setting up a mill on
Chester Creek " above his," " which would be to his great dam-
age." His petition was granted. (See "No. 17 Minutes of
Property, Book C, 1687," p. 6-12, at Harrisburg.) His mill
was built before this time, and the date on vane, •'* 1699," cannot
be that of its erection ; and as it was " the first mill " in the
county, it was probably soon after his arrival. The question of
the first mill in Pennsylvania was discussed in the (jrermantown
Telegraph and the Evening Journal in October, 1858. (See Vol.
II., Watson, p. 27.)

Richard Townsend once dwelt, p. 128. — It ap})ears that Richard
Townsend was only one of ten partners in this mill. (See some
particulars in History of Delaicare County, by Dr. Smith, p. 147.)

State of Society once possessing Chester, p. 129. — Chester, about
1840, was famed for its good public-houses, which made it a
fashionable drive from Philadelphia for many.

Edioard Drinker, p. 133. — Should be John. (See p. 513.)

PENN'S TREATY AT ELM TREE.

P. 134. Fairman's House and Treaty Tree my father fre-
quently had seen. The limbs of the tree were so large that
goats ran upon its branches. — W, P. H.

P. 137. See Hazard's Annals, p. 634, also Memoirs Hist. Soc.
Penna., vol. iii., pt. 2, p. 143, for report of a committee (P. S.
Duponceau and J. Francis Fisher) on the subject of the Treaty.

The testimony produced in this report, wdiich contains nearly
all that has been written about the subject, we think tends to
prove that such a conference or treaty did take place, |)robably
in November, 1682, at Shackamaxon, under the Elm Tree which
was blown down in 1810. The treaty was probably made with
the Lenni Lenape or Delaware tribes and some of the Susque-
hannas; it was probably "a treaty of amity and friendship," and
perhaps confirmatory of one made previously by Markham.

In 1690, Penn issued proposals for a new town on the Susque-
hanna, offering the lots ''clear of all Indian Pretensions, for it
has been my way from the first to purchase their title from them,
and so settle with their consent." In September, 1700, in a
treaty made by the Susquehannas, they allude to " the former
much greater costs and charges the said William Penn hath been
at in treating about and purchasing the same," and confirm to
him the lands on both sides of the river. (See Reg. Penna., i. 444.)

Penn's Treaty with the Indians. ■ 105

In Clarkson's Life of Penn, vol. i., he enters largely into the
subject of the Elm Tree Treaty, and gives the speeches made and
a description of Penn's dress. Roberts Vaux in Memoirs Hist.
Socy., vol. i. p. 79, and Proud's and Gordon's Histories Fenna.,
should be consulted. In 1857, Granville Penn presented the
Historical Society the belt of Avampun delivered to Penn at the
Elm Treaty Tree, showing the family had some tradition con-
nected with it.

This matter of a treaty by Penn has been fully discussed by
Westcott in his able and full History of Philadelphia. His con-
clusions are: "There is no contemporary evidence of such a treaty
ever having been made. Penn never spoke of it in any of his
numerous letters which have been preserved, nor do any of his
correspondents mention it. There is no evidence of any kind to
show that there was a treaty of amity at Shackamaxon between
the Indians and Penn — nothing but tradition. The story has its
origin in the fact that William Markham had a conference with
the Indians before Penn's arrival. The Founder sent over by
him a letter declaring that he would deal with them in peace and
friendship. We have seen a letter from Markham to Penn in
which he says that the conference was held ; and it was ])robably
at Shackamaxon, because when he first came he boarded with
Thomas Fairman, who lived there, and in front of whose house
was the tree afterward called the ' Treaty Tree.' It would be
natural to assemble the Indians there as the most convenient
place."

P. 137. "While some workmen were yesterday engaged in
preparing to build a wharf near the Penn mansion at Kensing-
ton, they dug up a part of the Treaty Tree " {Penna. Inquirer,
Dec. 29, 1846.)

TJiis certainly appears to have been the earliest land treaty,
p. 143. — This is a mistake, for Markham purchased land in
1682 below the falls. (See Hazard's Annals, p. 581.)

106 Annals of Philadelphia.

SWEDES' CHURCH AND THE SWEDES.

In 1700 the present brick church, p. 147.—" 1700, July 2. The
church was dedicated, being first Sunday after Trinity, by llev,
Mr. Biork ; text, 2 Sam. v. 29. It cast about twenty thousand
Swedish dollars." (See Clay's Anncda Swedes, pp. 80-82.)

The parsonage-house, now standing, was built in 1737 , p. 148.
— In 1733 the parsonage was built, which was pulled down in
1832, and a uew one erected on or near the same spot, and occu-
pied by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Clay of the Episcopal Church, with
which Wicaco is now united. He published a small volume en-
titled Anmds of that church.

Four years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Hock, in
1620, the famous Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden conceived the
idea of planting a colony on the shores of the Delaware. He
did not live to witness the fulfilment of his hopes, but in 1638,
during the reign of his daughter. Queen Christina, and nearly
fifty years before Penn reached New Castle, a band of Swedish
colonists found a home on the Delaware, erecting a block-house
at Wicaco (the Indian name for the region) for defence against
the Indians. They were a God-fearing, industrious race, and
as early as 1646 their first church was consecrated on Tinicum
Island. The result, however, was far from agreeable, for it is
related that Governor Printz's daughter, living on the island,
" did much abuse ye honest Swedes, selling the church-bell, and
committing other like outrages."

In 1667 the Swedes erected a church at Crane Plook, about
one and a half miles from Fort Christina, on the south side of
the creek, in which both the Dutch and Swedes assembled for
worship. The church early built in the fort had served them for
about twelve years. The church now erected was a wooden one;
no vestige of it or the graveyard remains ; an orchard occupies
their place. About 1669 a block-house with loopholes was erected.

In 1677 a parish was organized, and this block-house on the
main land was used as a church until the present edifice was
erected. At the time of William Penn's arrival, who is said to
have landed near this spot when he cjime from Chester, the site
of the block-house was a beautiful shaded knoll, sloping gradu-
ally down to the river. North of it, where Christian street is,
was a little inlet, and on the north side of the inlet wiis another
knoll on which was situated the log cabin of three Swedish
brothers, Swenson or Swanson, who sold to William Penn the
site of Philadelj)hia, and who were, besides, at one time the
owners of Southwark, Moyamensing, and Passyunk.

Old Swedes' Church (Gloria Dei), erected on the site of this
block-house, is now one of the oldest landmarks of Philadelphia,
and on Sunday, May 27, 1877, within its historic walls was cele-
brated the two hundredth anniversary of the formation of the

Old Swedes' Church. 107

parisli. The jjrevious year the one hundred and seventy-sixth
anniversary of the dedication of the present building was cele-
brated. At that time the rector, Rev. Snyder B. Simes, said in
reference to this anniversary:

" But I cannot stop here, nor can I at this time enlarge on that
exceedingly interesting portion of our history embraced between
the first arrival of the colonists, in 1636 or 1637, and the dedi-
cation of this church in 1700. For, as many of you are aware,
venerable as this church is, still it is not the original building
which stood on this spot, for as early as Trinity Sunday, 1677,
the first sermon was preached by the E,ev. Mr. Fabritius in the
'Old Block Church,' as it was called, though as far back as 1646
the Swedes consecrated their first church on Tinicum Island. Its
distance from Wicaco rendered it so inconvenient that the block-
house was converted into a place of worship, as I have already
said, in 1677, and this was afterward used for divine service till
this present church was erected. As, therefore. Trinity Sunday,
1877, will mark the two hundredth anniversary of the dedica-
tion of this site to the worship of the Almighty and the organ-
ization of this parish, I, for my part, do not think it should pass
by unnoticed ; and, believe me, whoever may be appointed to
preach the sermon on that day will find a rich fund of material
from which to draw, so interesting and fascinating that it is hard
now to pass it all by in a single sentence."

The church records commence abruptly in the year 1750; not
a scrap of paper in the shape of parish records is to- be found
liere which was written prior to that year. It is supposed that
these early records were taken back to Sweden, and correspond-
ence is now in progress to secure their return if they can be
found.* Five years after his first sermon Rev. Mr. Fabritius
was stricken with blindness, but continued in the discharge of
his duty for a number of years to 1691, when his infirmity com-
pelled him to resign.

From that time up to 1697 the parish was without a pastor.
In the year named three missionaries were sent from Sweden by
King Charles XL, who appropriated three thousand dollars and
a great number of Bibles, primers, catechisms, and other books,
which were eagerly received, and the Rev. Andrew Rudman was
placed in charge. It is related that the members of the society
regarded him "as an angel sent from heaven." It was during
the pastorate of Mr. Rudman that the congregation decided to

* Tliese records are stated to have been in the possession of the clergy con-
nected witli this ancient cliiircli as late as 1830, at which time they mysteriously
disappeared. Parties have been actively engaged in searching for tiiem, and
have worked out every clew or theory which has been advanced as to their dis-
posal, and they now think that they were surreptitiously carried away by parties
who may have been interested in their disappearance. The late Joseph J.
Mickley said that copies might be in Sweden, as he had been informed that
there were a number of reports of the churches in America, but that he did not
see them.

108 Annals of Philadelphia.

build the present church. A dispute arose as to its location, a
number of members being in favor of a site on the Schuvlkill.
To end the difhculty, the whole matter Mas given into the hands
of the clergy, with the stipulation that there should be a "fine of
ten pounds imposed on any who should find fault with what was
done therein." This was decisive, and in 1700 the church was
completed. The communion service still used in the Old Swedes'
Church was presented by Magdalene Hobeson, eldest daughter of
Rev. Andreas Rudman, the first jiastor, and Elizabeth Vander-
spiegle, his granddaughter, in 177o. The old bell in use for so
many years was cast in 1643, and contained the inscription —

" I to the church the living call,
And to the grave do summons all."

It was recast and enlarged in 1806 by G. Hedderly.

Beneath the chancel lie the remains of the first pastor of the
church. A tablet to his memory contains the inscrij)tion :

" This monument covers the remains of tiie Rev. Andreas Rud-
man ; being sent hither from Sweden, he first founded and built
this church, was a constant and faithful preacher in the English,
Swedish, and Dutch churches ; eleven years in this country, where
he advanced true piety by sound doctrine and good example. He
died September 17, A. d. 1708, aged 40 years."

The building is thirty feet in width by sixty feet in dej)th, and
stands on the west side of Swanson street, near the Delaware.
Since 1700 some changes have been made, a vestry added and
some supports for strengthening the walls. In 1846 side-gal-
leries were erected inside to accommodate the increasing member-
ship, a new organ purchased, and the old pulpit and pews re-
placed by those of a more modern style. But the same carv^ed
cherubs that gazed down on the Swedes one hundred and seventy-
seven years ago still decorate the organ-loft, and the baptismal
font at the left of the altar is the original one brought from
Sweden. On the walls are two tablets — one to the memor^^ of
Rev. John Curtis Clay, and one to the Rev. Nicholas Collin, Mho
M'as the last missionary sent to this country by the Swedish gov-
ernment. In the chancel, and also in the quaint old graveyard
outside, repose the remains of many of the first pastors and their
M'ives and other great-hearted men and M'omen.

The oldest tombstones in the churchyard, being a serpentine
stone, have M'ithstood the ravages of time and are in excellent
condition, while those of a more recent date, being of soft marble,
have so crumbled away that the inscriptions on them have become
scarcely legible. One of the oldest — the oldest to be found with
a legible epitaph — has this inscription :

"Mrs. Margaret Boone — 1708.
" She lived a M'idow two and twenty yeai-s. Five children

Old Swedes' Church, 109

had, and by one husband dear. Two of y^ same in y® ground
Hes interred here."

About the same date is a tablet to tlie memory of Pastor San-
del's children. It bears date " April y« 21st, 1708," and "August
y*^ 13th, 1711." Mr. Sandel returned to Sweden in 1719. Hang-
ing in the vestry is the naturalization paper of Rev. Andrew
Rudman, signed by William Penn and dated 1701, 6th month
and 12th day. The first parsonage was erected 1733, mainly
through the efforts of one Peter Johnson, who was afterward
arrested and thrown in prison for debts contracted during the
building.

As far back as the year 1700 and earlier, numerous land-grants
were made it, and at one time the society owned nearly all the
land in the neighborhood. Portions of the land were occupied
by settlers without leave or license, and in one way or another
the possessions of the society were frittered away, with the excep-
tion of a few lands of but little value. Point Breeze Park, where
the parsonage of the first pastor was located, before its sale by the
church brought the magnificent rental of three dollars and thirty-
three cents yearly ! From the organization of the parish to the
present time the whole number of pastors has been sixteen, of
whom Pudman, Lidman, Dylander, Von Wrangel, Collin, and
Clay are the most noted. The tenets of the original worshippers
of this church were Lutheran.

Pev. Jonas Lidman was recalled in 1730, and took home
some presents of peltry from the congregation to the king and
Bishop Swedburg. Pev. J. Ensberg (or Eneberg), pastor of
the church at Christina, officiated until the arrival of Rev.
Gabriel Falck in 1733, who only remained one year, going to
St. Gabriel's at Morlatton. Rev. John Dylander arrived No-
* vember 2d, 1737, and officiated as pastor for four years with
great zeal. He died November 2, 1741 ; his monument in the
chiu'ch says in 1742. He was succeeded by Rev. Gabriel Nes-
man, who arrived in 1743, October 20th. He served faithfully
until his recall in 1750, when he was succeeded by Rev. Olof
Parvin, who arrived on the Speedwell July 5th. Other Swedish
ministers about this time were Rev. Petrus Tranberg and Rev.
Eric Unander, pastors at Racoon and Pennsneck, N. J,, ; Rev.
John Ensberg of Christina and Provost Rev. Israel Acrelius of
Christina, and who must have occasionally filled the pulpit of
Wicaco during vacancies.

In 1733 the parsonage was built. The glebe in Passyunk was
rented, and the two lots also at Wicaco.

Previous to 1845 the society was known as the Swedish Episco-
pal, but in that year it joined itself to a convention of the present
diocese and became Protestant Episcopal. Under the manage-
ment of the present rector, the Rev. Snyder B. Simes, the church

110 Annals of Philadelphia.

has had unwonted prosperity. There is not a single unrentea
pew, while the Sabbutli-school numbers nearly seven hundred
scholars.

On Sunday, May 27, 1877, Mr. Simes delivered a sermon on
the history of the society anterior to 1700, from which many of
the foregoing facts have been extracted. His text was from 1
Kings viii. 57 : "The Lord our God be with us, as He was with
our fathers ; may He never leave us or forsake us." The seating
capacity of the cozy little building is only four hundred and
eighty, and long before the time service was to commence every
available seat and all the standing-room was taken by a cultivated
and refined audience. In the afternoon another large audience
assembled to listen to a discourse by the Rev. Jesse Y. Burk of
Trinity Church, Catharine street. Mr. Burk treated in an ex-
tended manner of the times in Sweden previous to the founding
of the first colony on the Delaware.

The parish of St. Gabriel at Morlatton in Montgomery co., now
Douglassville, was vacated by Rev. Samuel Hesselius in 1731,
and occupied by Rev. Gabriel Falck in 1735, and from then
until 1745, and after that occasionally by the Lutheran minister
at the Trappe, Rev. Henry ]M. Muhlenberg. The church was
erected in 1735, and was replaced by the present one in 1801.

A VENERABLE CHURCH.

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF OLD SWEDES'
(CHRIST'S) CHURCH, UPPER MERION— HISTORICAL SKETCH.

The one hundred and seventeenth anniversary of Old Swedes'
(Christ's) Church, Upper Merion, was celebrated June 24, 1877,
in the presence of a large congregation. The venerable edifice
was decorated with flags sent from Sweden, and the altar and bap-
tismal font were beautifully adorned with flowers. In the year
1700, Gloria Dei Church, Swanson street near Christian, Phila-
delphia, was organized by the Swedes who settled along the river.
Out of this, the mother-church, grew Christ's Cliurch, Upper
Merion, and St. James's Church, Kingscssing. These three
churches were for some time associated together under one rector,
who was stationed at Gloria Dei Church. His assistants, however,
were princi|>ally from the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Christ's Cliurch, Uj)i)er Merion, was erected in 1760, and dedi-
cated June 25th of that year by the Rev. Charles Magnus Wran-
gel, D. D., a Swedish nobleman sent over by the king of Sweden.
Dr. Wrangel remained there eight years, and was much beloved
by the people. A number of Swedish missionaries were then
sent over ; among whom were the Rev. Mr. Goerinsen, Rev.
Matthias Hult^ren, and Rev. Nicholas Collin. The latter was in

Swedes^ Churchy Upper Merion. Ill

charge over forty years, and was held in the highest esteem by his
congregation. His remains are interred in Gloria Dei churchyard.

At his death Rev. Jehu C. Clay, D. D., was chosen rector in
1831 of the united parishes; he continued until 1843, and in that
year, on application to the Legislature, an act of Assembly M^as
passed dissolving the association, when the three churches became
independent. Gloria Dei and St. James's Church, Kingsessing,
united with the Protestant Episcopal Convention of the diocese,
but Christ Church, Upper Merion, still retains its primitive cha-
racter.

At the time of the separation Rev. Dr. Clay became rector of
Gloria Dei Church, and Rev. Edward N. Lightner of Lancaster
took charge of Christ's Church, Uj)per Merion, where he remained
from 1844 to 1855, when failing health compelled him to resign.

He "vvas succeeded by Rev. William Henry Rees, D. D,, of
Staten Island, who continued there about six years, and was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Thomas S. Yocum, of Swedish descent, who re-
mained until 1870. He was followed in July, 1870, by Rev.
Octavius Perinchief. He remained until the autumn of 1873,
when he resigned, and on his recommendation Rev. E. A. War-
riner of Montrose was chosen rector, and continued until the
spring of 1875, when he tendered his resignation. The congre-
gation desired to have Mr. Perinchief back, and a call was ex-
tended to him, which he accepted. He took charge April 20,
1876, and remained until his death, April 29, 1877. Mr. Perin-
chief was held in the highest esteem, and the congregation deeply
feel his loss, and have erected a granite monument to his memory.

In 1837 an addition Avas built to Christ Church, Upper Merion,
making it cruciform. It is eighty-five feet in length to the chan-
cel-window, and the width of the front is twenty-five feet, of the
rear part forty-five feet. The church has a seating capacity for
four hundred and fifty persons, and the number of communicants
is one hundred. The oldest tombstone in the graveyard bears
date 1744, and is that of " Diana Rambo, aged thirty-six years."

On Sunday, June 24, 1877, the morning service was read by
Rev. Henry C. Mayer, after which the sermon was preaclied by
him from the text: "And when He was entered into a ship His
disciples followed Him. And behold there arose a great temj)est
in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves;
but He was asleep, and His disciples came to Him and awoke
Him, saying, 'Lord, we perish;' and He saith unto them, 'Why
are ye fearful, O ye of little faith ?' Then He arose and rebuked
the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." — Matt. viii.
23-27.

Here is represented one of the most interesting and impressive
miracles. It is one of those which test whether we believe in the
miraculous or not. We notice it was the presence of Jesus Christ
in that boat which constituted the sole pledge of their safety. As

112 Annals of Philadelphia.

under the old dispensation His flood bore safely the ark, so in the
new dispensation, though the waves of persecution rage around
that sacred vessel the Clmrch, she can never be destroyed. Con-
stantine, the great emperor, was converted by that remarkable
cross bearing on it " In hoc signo vinces." During tlie lifetime
of Lutlier and his coluborers the clash of arms was heard tlirough-
out Ciiristendom. In the Thirty Years' War was Gustavus Adol-
phus the captain-general of the Protestant League. It was he
himself who first conceived the idea of planting in this land the
Swedish colony to whom this church owes its origin. Slaves,
said this great king, cost a great sum and labor with reluctance.
Before this colony could be established, Gustavus Adolphus
returned to the battle-field which proved fatal to him. His
plan was, howev^er, carried out in 1628 by his chancellor, Oxen-
stiern.

In 1699 the attention of the Swedish king was called to the
great destitution of the colony, and he despatched two ministers
to it. In the year 1702 a settlement Avas made by the Swedes
in this immediate locality. In 1733 a school-house was estab-
lished. Dr. Wrangel, who dedicated Christ Church in 1760,
brought with him substantial aid from the king of Sweden. By
degrees the Swedish service came into disuse, and that of the
Protestant Episcopal Church was substituted.

Swanson street, p. 149. — " Singular Discovery. — In digging in
the cellar of an old house in Swanson street above Shippen, known
as the ' Washington Hotel,' a vault was discovered which extends
to a considerable distance, and seems to have been used as a place
of confinement. A large leaden pipe was found running along
it of four or five inches in diameter, the use of which it is difficult
to conjecture. In the wall was a large iron ring with a chain
attached, and the bones of a human skeleton were found along-
side of this." — Bulletm and Inquirer, April 18, 1855.

Samuel Hazard and others visited the place, and they saw
nothing to warrant such a conclusion, but many things to lead to
a belief that it was a hoax. Afterward, the Evening Bulletin, in
which the above first appeared, came out with a considerable
article leading to the same conclusion — i. e., " bogus." (See that
paper of April 28, 1855.)

Swedish Settlements on the Delaware^ 113

PROVOST STILLE'S ADDRESS.

Sioedish Settlements on the Delaware, p. 153. — A meeting of the
Historical Society was held April 16, 1877, to receive from the
trustees of the Piiblicatiwi Fund a portrait of Christina, queen of
the Swedes, i\\Q Goths, and the Vends, copied by Miss Elise Arn-
berg of Stockholm from the oi'iginal by David Beek, a pupil of
Vandyke, in the National Museum at Stockholm. The cere-
monies were very interesting; President Wallace and Vice-Pres-
ident Jones made short addresses, and the venerable member
Richard S. Smith presented the painting. The Swedish Quar-
tette also sang several of their charming Swedish songs. The
president then continued : " The name of Stille is found among
those of our early Swedish settlers, and is one of the not very
many names of them which come down to us, and come down in
form unchanged. For some have, by a very slight modification
of a vowel or consonant, passed, I think, into forms not distin-
guishable from those of our British colonists ; and some, through
female lines or failure of issue, have in the course of near three
centuries disappeared altogether. That of Stille, as I say, re-
mains, and in this day has received new honor in the person of
the accomplished provost of the University of Pennsylvania.

" No man among us is at all so capable to speak about these
ancient colonists who came here under Queen Christina as the
provost Stille; and, if he will allow me, I will ask him to say
something to us on this interesting occasion, where, with heredi-
tary right, he is so naturally present."

Mr, Provost Still6 then addressed the meeting :

" Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen: I think that
the Historical Society is to be congratulated upon the acquisition
of a portrait of Queen Christina. It will serve not merely to re-
call an important epoch in our om'u local history, but also to em-
phatically mark the period when the principles of European colon-
ization on this continent, then quite novel, were established. It
is true that the Swedish colony settled here in 1638 under the
queen Christina was not the one projected on so magnificent a
scale by her father, Gustavus Adolphus. The colony remained a
dependency of the Swedish crown for only seventeen years ; its
members were merely a few Swedish peasants, not exceeding,
even sixty years after its settlement, a thousand in number ; it
held within its bosom the germ of some of our characteristic
American ideas, but it had little to do with their growth ; its in-
habitants were a God-fearing, simple-hearted, law-abiding race,
who, while they had, like all adventurers, dreams of a brighter
home beyond the seas (for they named the first land they saw on
Delaware Bay, Paradise Point), yet knew well that an earthly
paradise can only be found by dint of hard work and self-deny-
ing virtue.

Vol. III.— H 10 *

114 Annals of Philadelphia.

"Yet in the general history of American colonization the sim-
ple annals of these people arc not without interest. It is not
uninstructive, for instance, to find them at that early day, in op-
position to the notions of public law then current in P^urope,
firmly holding that a true title to lands here should be based
upon a purchase from the natives, followed up at once by the
occupancy of Europeans ; it is plea'iant to think of them, patient,
contented, prosperous, never suffering from that restlessness of
spirit which has in this country violated so many rights of neigh-
borhood ; above all, they are to be honored for their persistent
devotion to their religion and their Church — that Church which
they and their children were able to preserve, in its complete
organization, for more than one hundred and twenty years after
the crown of Sweden had lost all power here, and which decayed
only Avhen the language of her ministrations became a strange
tongue to her children.

" The early Swedes, unlike the early settlers from other conn-
tries, did not dwell in towns. They were simple farmers, living
on the shores of the Delaware and of its many affluents on both
sides of the river. Their labors soon made the wilderness to
blossom as the rose, and although they found not, as they had
been promised, whales in Delaware Bay, nor a climate suited
for the cultivation of the vine or the production of silk,* yet they
gathered the abundant fruits of their toil in thankfulness, living
in peace and quietness, serving God after the manner of their
fathers, and, while jealous of the honor and dignity of the royal
crown of Sweden, full of kindness and forbearance toward those
who denied their claim to the lands upon which they dwelt. There
is, indeed, a pastoral simplicity in the lives of these rugged chil-
dren of the Xorth when transplanted to the shores of the Del-
aware which, to say the least, is not a common feature in our
American colonization. Their ideal of life seems to have been
a sort of modern Arcadia, where,

' Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife,
Tlieir sober wishes never learned to stray;
Along the cool, sequestered vale of life

They kept the noiseless tenor of their way.'

" It is, I think, to be regretted that while we possess the por-
trait of Queen Ciiristina, we have not those of her great father,
Gustavus A(lolj)hus, and of their illustrious chancellor, Oxen-
stiern. I firmly believe that these two men, in their scheme for
colonizing the shores of the Delaware, are entitled to the credit

* Of course whale-fishing as a pursuit is meant. At that time whales were not
uncommon, and even now an occasional one is seen. A right whale of the lar-
gest size was not long ago caught in Delaware Bay, and its fine skeleton is among
the rich collections of tiie Academy of Natural Sciences. The vine can be culti-
vated and silk produced, but whether with profit is yet to be determined.

Swedish Settlements on the Delaioare. 115

of tlie first attempt in modern times to govern colonies for some
higher purpose than that of enriching the commercial and manu-
facturing classes of the mother-country.

" The gloomiest chapter in modern history, it has always seemed
to me, is that which shows the result of the policy adopted by near-
ly all the European nations toward those of their subjects who
emigrated to this continent. It was based upon a desire to grat-
ify the insatiable cupidity of the commercial spirit which had
been evoked by the discovery of America. It was carried out
persistently, with an utter disregard of the rights of the inhab-
itants or subjects, or their interests as colonists.

" Far different was the policy which led to the Swedish colon-
ization of the shores of the Delaware. The colony was projected
by a king with all the resources of a powerful state at his disposal,
and his wish was to establish here an empire upon a new basis,
and not merely to provide another home beyond the seas for a
few hundred Swedish peasants. It must be remembered that
the Swedish emigrants were not fugitives from the persecution
and oppression of their rulers at home, but that they were, on
the contrary, favored subjects of their sovereign, proposed to be
sent out under his express protection as the vanguard of an
army to fpund a free state, where they and those who might join
them, from whatever nation they might come, might be secure in
the enjoyment of the fruits of their labor, and especially of their
rights of conscience. No doubt the expectation of extending
Swedish commerce was one of the motives which led to the
founding of the colony, but it seems always to have been a
subordinate one. If we wish to understand the real significance
of the scheme, its paramount and controlling impulse, Ave must
look upon the colony as the outgrowth of the Thirty Years'
War, and its establishment as a remedy for some of the mani-
fold evils of that war which had suggested itself to the capa-
cious and statesmanlike minds of Gustavus Adolphus and Ox-
enstiern. It seems true that it was designed not so much as a
place of settlement for Swedish freemen as a refuge where Ger-
mans and Danes, who had been persecuted for conscience' sake,
might live in peace under the protection of the champion of
Protestantism and Swedish law.

" It is true that this grand conception of the king and Oxen-
stiern was never fully carried out. This was due to causes which
neither of them could have foreseen or controlled, and it in no
wise lessens the claim which the memory of both these great
men has upon the gratitude of posterity.

" A glance at contemporaneous history will serve to show how
novel and comprehensive were the views of colonization held by
the great Gustavus. We are told that in 1626, Usselinx ob-
tained from the king a charter for a commercial company with
the privilege of founding colonies. The charter provided that

116 Annak of Philadelphia.

the capital might be subscribed for by persons from any country,
and colonists were invited to join the expedition from every part
of Europe. In this invitation the proposed colony was described
as a benefit to the persecuted, a security to the lionor of the wives
and daughters of those wliora war and bigotry had made fugi-
tives, a blessing to the ' common man ' and to the whole Protest-
ant world.

" What, then, was the condition of the Protestant world in
1626 that it needed such a refuge beyond the seas? I need
only remind you of the gathering of the storm in England
which three years later drove the Puritans across the ocean to
found the colony of Massachusetts Bay. The Protestants in
Germany and Denmark were at that time in the midst of that
storm, exposed to all its pitiless fury. The Thirty Years' War
— a war unexampled in history for the cruel sufferings which it
inflicted upon non-combatants — was at its height. The Protest-
ants were yielding everywhere; nothing could resist the military
power of Wallenstein, who, supporting his army upon the pillage
of the miserable inhabitants of the country, pressed forward to
the shores of the Baltic, with the avowed intention of making
that sea an Austrian lake. The great Protestant leaders, Mans-
feld. Christian of Brunswick, the king of Denmark, were dead,
and their followers and their families were a mass of dispersed
fugitives fleeing toward the Xorth and imploring succor. Gus-
tavus had not then embarked in the German war, but his heart
was full of sympathy for the cause in which these poor people
were suffering as martyrs, and I think it cannot be doubted that
this scheme of colonization occurred to him as a practical method
of reducing the horrors which he was forced to witness.

" The faith of the king in the Avisdom of this scheme seems
never to have wavered. In the hour of his complete triumph
over their enemies he begged the German princes whom he had
rescued from ruin to permit their subjects to come here and live
under the protection of his powerful arm. He spoke to them
just before the battle of Liitzen of the proposed colony as ' the
jewel of his crown,' and after he had fallen a martyr to the
cause of Protestantism on that field his chancellor, acting, as he
says, at the express desire of the late king, renewed the patent
for the colony, extended its benefits more fully to Germany, and
secured the official confirmation of its provisions by the Diet at
Frankfort.

" The colony which came to these shores in 1 638 was not the
colony planned by the great Gustavus. The commanding genius
which could foreca'^t the permanent settlement of a free state
here, ba<ed upon the principle of religious toleration — the same
principle in the defence of which Swedish blood was poured out
like water upon the plains of Germany — had been removed from
this world. With him had gone, not perhaps the zeal for his

Poolers Bridge — PenrCs Cottage. 117

grand and noble design, but the power of carrying it out. It
has been said that the principle of religious toleration which was
agreed to at the peace of Westphalia in 1648, which closed the
Thirty Years' War, and soon after became part of the public
law of Europe, is the corner-stone of our modern civilization,
and that it has been worth more to the world than all the blood
that was shed to establish it. With this conflict and this victory
the fame of Gustavus Adolphus is inseparably associated, but we
ought not to forget that when, during the long struggle, he some-
times feared that liberty of conscience could never be established
upon an enduring basis in Europe, his thoughts turned to the
shores of the Delaware as the spot where his cherished ideal of
human society, so far in advance of the civilization of the age
in which he lived, might become a glorious reality."

Poolers Bridge, p. 156. — See Hazard's Colonial Records, vol. ii.
p. 561, where a petition from Philadelphia asks for " an alteration
of a new road lately laid out from the river Delaware in the county
of Bucks, opposite John Reading's landing, to Philadelphia, and
that in lieu thereof ^/i6 road formerly laid out from Nathaniel Poolers
to William Coates's corner, and so over the Governor'' s Mill Creek to
the said miWs landing-place, and from thence in a direct course to
the end of the lane between the lands of Isaac Norris and Job Good-
son, may be made the public road from this city to join said new road
at the lane aforesaid.'' Commissioners were appointed to lay it
out accordingly — viz. E,. Hill, Jonathan Dickinson, Thomas Mas-
ters, Job Goodson, Richard Wain, and William Coates, or "some
four of them," Oct. 16, 1712. (See their report and record of it
Jan. 14, 1712-13, Col. Bees., vol. ii. p. 562.)

LETITIA COTTAGE.

Penn's Cottage — "Penn's gate over against Friends' Meeting"
etc., p. 158. — This is not the language used in Colonial Records,
vol. i. p. 132. It is ordered to be read "before the governor's
gate in the town of Philadelphia." (See it correctly quoted in
I. p. 161.) "The new laws from their originals, under His Ex-
cellency's hand," etc., are to be published by the sheriff and con-
stables "at the market-place " in Philadelphia. {Col. Recs., vol. i.
p. 376.) And on p. 153 of same volume it is ordered that a
"notice" (of a meeting of Council) be "Sett up at y*' Gate."
"Friends' Meeting," moreover, was not built till 1695. (See
further notes to p. 159.) Doyle's inn resembled the engraving
op]50site p. 158 very much.

P. 159. This old house or inn "at the head of the court" was
removed about 1855, and the whole street opened to its width

118 Annoh of Philadelphia.

with the ten feet (?) passage over and beyond Black Horse alley
(formerly Ewer's alley). The old stables on the south of the
alley were also removed, and a row of several fine brick stores
running north and south built thereon, fronting upon the street
or court formerly occupied by the stables. The street was after
this extended through to Ch&stnut street, purchased by holders of
property on each side, and fine stores were erected on it in 1856.

See Hazard's Col. Records, vol. i. p. 317, afterward repeated on
p. 328, where the Proprietary says in a letter to his commissioners
read 2d 11th mo., 1689-90: "If the Province will build me a
house in the city for my reception, upon my lot, leaving me to
make additions thereto if there be occasion, I hope to be there as
soon as that is finished. I have sent Col. Markhara my model."

There is a plan of this court and the neighborhood of Market
and Second streets on record in Book M, No. 14, Recorder's office,
which places the Letitia or some other house at the head of the
court in 1698 ; it is the only building on the court, none being
then on the west side. This would seem to fix the question as to
the " Letitia House," and that Penn had then no other house in
the court.

But this plan places the court nearer to Front street than the
present court seems to be, though the shape of it appears to be
the same. The plan was surveyed and drawn by Edward Pen-
ington, surveyor-general.* On the site of the old " Jersey mar-
ket," standing in 1855, is placed "the prison;" twenty-four feet
east of it "the prison-yard," and farther east "plot designed for
court-house." The "Cage" and the "Bell" are placed at the
intei'section of Second and High streets, and the " Meeting-
house" (Quaker) is at the south-west corner of Second and
High, and Arthur Cook's lot is at the north-west corner. The
lot west of the court to Second street, and south upon it one hun-
dred and twenty feet, and east to Front, is called " Letitia Penn's
lot." The plan is " drawn this 23d day of the r2th month, 1698,"
by Edward Penington, S. G. (See Bulletin or Inquirer of ]\Iay
24, 1855.) " Fishey court. Market street," is mentioned in the
Penna. Archives, vol. ix. p. 364. Was this Letitia court? and
was the fish-market ever held there?

Upon reviewing the testimony as to the location of Penn's Cot-
tage, we are inclined to believe, with Mr. Watson, the Rising
Sun Hotel on the west side of the court to have been the original
house constructed in 1682 or '3 for William Penn, and afterward
the property of his daughter, though in all our younger days we
heard the house at the head of the court spoken of as the spot.

* Edward Penington is called by Penn " my brotlier-in-law." He wa;- the
son of Isaac Penington, husband of the widow Lady Springett, the mother of
Penn's first wife, Guliolma Springett. It was therefore only courtesy in Penn
calling Edward Penington his brother-in-law, he being only a half-brother to
Gulielma Penn. He was appointed surveyor after the death of Thomas Holme.
He died in 1701.

The Slate-Roof House. 119

Yet it is very hard to get over the testimony we give of Pening-
ton's plan and survey. What other house could have stood
there ? and if another house, why did he not put two houses down
in his plan of 1698 ? If the house stood at the head of the court,
it might have faced the river and yet been at the end of the
court. This house of Penn's might have afterward been torn
down and a new one built on its site facing Market street, as the
one torn down when the court was opened through did. About
1760 a house was built across the head of Letitia court, which
was first occupied by Benjamin Jackson, then by William Brad-
ford, and afterward by John Doyle, who changed the name from
Leopard Tavern to Penn Hall. Gottlieb Zimmerman established
after 1830 a " free-and-easy," the first of its kind, to which he
charged a "■ fip" (or six and a quarter cents) admission, giving as
a ticket a copper token on which his initials, " G. Z.," were
stamped. As above stated, this inn was torn down in 1855.

William Penn gave his daughter the house and lot on which it
stood, and on her marriage to William Aubrey he agreed to in-
crease the value up to two thousand pounds. The lots not sell-
ing very rapidly, she and her husband became very urgent for
her agent here to sell the lots into which the estate was cut up,
and he even charged her father interest on whatever balance
there was due of the two thousand pounds, until Penn himself
became angered at their importunities and his grasping character.
Her husband died before her, and she died in 1746. The house
has for perhaps a hundred years been used as a tavern ; it was
known as the Rising Sun Inn, and now as the Woolpack Hotel.

P. 161. Penn's instructions are dated Sept. 30th, 1681. (See
Hazard's Annals.)

SLATE-ROOF HOUSE.

P. 165. The Slate-Roof House, south-east corner of Second
and Norris's alley (now called Gothic street), was built by Sam-
uel Carpenter about 1699. It is not exactly known who occu-
pied it during the Revolution. The house was occupied as a
boai-ding-house by somebody during the Revolution, and Baron
Steuben and his aide, Major Peter S. Duponceau, put up there
immediately after the British evacuation, in June, 1778.

Isaac Norris removed from this house to his country estate of
Fairhill in 1717.

During Mrs. Graydon's occupancy, besides many British officers
and other distinguished -persons, a number of distinguished ladies
boarded there, many of them belonging to the nobility. After
Mrs. Graydon's time Hancock and Washington stayed here iu
1775. In after years it came to be occupied by various trades-
men— tailors, engravers, silversmiths, jewellers, and a variety of

120 Annals of Phifaclelphia.

otliers. The space between the bastions was fillerl and made into
two stores. The property got to look v^ery dilapidated and an-
tique, and its tenants sunk to lower grades, and in my time I
remember it a second-hand clothing shop, a fruit-store, shell- and
curiosity-shop, etc.

Elliott Cresson had left ten thousand dollars to ])urchase it for
the Historiral Society, but it was nothing like its value, and it
was not bought. It was sold to the Commercial Exchange in
1868 by the Xorris family heirs, and tiie present Commercial
Exchange's fine building stands upon its site. It was finished in
March, 1869, burnt in the following December, and soon rebuilt.

The eccentric General Charles Lee, etc., p. 166, — He died Octo-
ber 2, 1782, at the sign of the Conestoga AVagon, in Market street,
second story, almost unattended except by his two faithful dogs.
He was buried in Christ's Church yard, and it may have been
from the Slate House. (See Shallcross's Tables, vol. ii. p. 259 ;
Letter from Dr. Clarkson to Rev. Dr. Belknap in Life of Dr. B.,
])j). 94, 95 ; and Cymry of 1776, by Dr. Alex. Jones, p. 24, but
which contains several errors.) Others have stated that General
Lee died at the City Tavern, which Avas at the south-west corner
of Second street and the street now called Gold street.

Act November 12, 1861. A portion of Christ Church yard
having been sold to the city to widen the street through to Third
street, the wall on the north side of the small alley was moved
back to a line with the stores, which made it necessary to remove
General Lee's and other remains farther inward toward the church.

A paper of the 2Gth April, etc., p. 167. — See it at length in
Ijowber's edition of the city ordinances and acts of Assembly,
published for Councils by Moses Thomas, 1812, p. 280; also,
Penn's answer to remonstrance, etc., dated 3d 6 mo., 1684.

P. 170. The Crooked Billet store extended nearly to the water,
leaving only a footway along its south side ; it was a blockmaker's
shop of frame, with a dock running up near to the stores below
it. Before 1850 the building was removed and the dock filled
up, so that iK>w there is a j)assage and stores built all along the
wharf. It stood at the north-east corner of the first alley north
of Chestnut, just above Jones's iron stores. (See p. 47 for the
story of the cave at the Crooked Billet.)

Tlie Caves, ]). 171. — See Hazard's CoL Itecs., vol. vii. })p. 160,
163, 167, 199, 201.

On the 17th of 9th mo., p. 171. — It was the 5th of 9th mo.
(See Col. Recs., pj). 161, 163.)

P. 171. William Frampton's petition for the removal of the
caves before his door ; owners allowed a fortniirht. (Pp. 167, 1 99.)

P. 171. 13tli 2d mo., 1687, to be removed by 20th 3(1 mo.(P. 201.)

P. 171. The letter received from Governor Penn was dated
26th 5th mo., 1685. (See Col. Fees., vol. i. p. 163.) This letter
waa published in the Philadelphia Lnquirer at length in 1861.

The Wardrobe of Franklin. 121

P. 173. Tennant's church was the Second Presbyterian Church,
corner of Third and Arch streets, which had a steeple.

P. 173. A contemporary, speaking of Rev. George Whitefield's
preaching in Philadelphia, says : " So loud was his voice that it
was distinctly heard on the Jersey shore. So distinct was his
speech that every word he said was understood on board a shallop
at Market street wharf, a distance of upward of four hundred feet
from the court-house on Market street — the place of ])reaching."
Dr. Franklin says that to try the capacity of Whitefield's voice,
when he was speaking from the balcony of the court-house at
Second and Market streets, he walked toward the river Delaware,
and he could hear, and he understood what he said, almost as far
east as Front street. This, of course, implies that his words were
undistinguishable at Front street; and if so, there would have
been less ability to understand them by persons on the deck of a
vessel moored in the river opposite Market street wharf. Of course
the sound of his voice might be heard there, and even, with a
westerly wind, upon the Jersey shore — the city being at the time
very quiet, and there not being any distracting noises.

P. 182. For the articles by "Lang Syne" see Hazard's Reg.
Penna., vol. ii. pp. 175, 261, 286, 325, 346, 365, 366, 375; and
vol. iii. pp. 21, 22, 41.

THE WARDROBE OF FRAiNKLIN.

The Wardrobe of Benjamin Fi-anklin, p. 191. — We copy the
whole of the advertisement relating to his clothing, alluded to by
Watson in Vol. I. p. 191 : The thief had carried oflp "a half-
worn sagathee coat, lined with silk; four fine homespun shirts;
a fine Holland shirt, ruffled at the hands and bosom ; a pair of
black broadcloth breeches, new seated and lined with leather; two
pair of good worsted stockings, one dark color, the other light
blue ; a coarse cambric handkerchief marked F in red silk ; a new
pair of calfskin shoes ; a boy's new castor hat, and sundry other
things." And the thief was stated to be a schoolmaster, Avho wore
"a lightish-color great-coat, red jacket, black silk breeches; an
old felt hat, too little for him, and sewed in the side of the crown
with white thread, and an old dark-color wig."

In 1750, Franklin again met with a similar loss, and advertised
for "a woman's long scarlet cloak, with double cape; a Avoman's
gown of printed cotton, of the sort called brocade, very remark-
able, the ground dark, with large red roses and other large red
and yellow flowers, with blue in some of the flowers, and smaller
blue and white flowers, Avith many green leaves ; a pair of woman's
stays, covered with white tabby before and dove-colored tabby
behind, with two large steel hooks."

Imagine Franklin redivivus at the present day walking down

122 Annals of Philadelphia.

Chestnut street with his wife. They would probably excite some
attention. He with his bushy and curly wig, huge spectacles, red
flai)ped waistcoat, frilled bosom and sleeves, repaired breeches
coming to the knee, and finished off with light blue stockings
and large buckled shoes ; and his wife with her flat gypsy bonnet,
enormous hoops, short petticoat, and gown glorious with red roses
and yellow and i)lue flowers, the whole surmounted with a scarlet
cloak with double cape !

Watson docs not exhaust the list of long-forgotten and now
unknown articles of wear, as the following advertisement of Peter
Turner in 1738 will show: ''Broadcloth, kerseys, grograms, taf-
fetas, harabines, sooloots, poplins, chinus, fox curtains, belladine
silks;" also " cotton romals, penascas, double and single si eetas,
broad and narrow cadis, damask florells, wove worsted patterns
for breeches, watered barrogans, striped ducapes, mantuas, cherry-
derries, silk dumadars, shaggyareen, seletius, chex, bunts, chelloes,
satin-quilted petticoats," etc. Many of these things, it will be
seen, declared their origin, for many of the largest merchants at
that time were engaged in the India trade and imported goods
made there.

The elegant and expensive styles of dress common in England
in the times of Queen Anne and George I. were imitated here as
much as the purses of the gentry wotild allow. But where every-
thing was costly and not plenty, clothing was made to do duty as
long as possible. The proverbial carefulness and economy of the
Quakers also were strong elements to keep down expenditure, and
it was no uncommon thing to read of clothing, wigs etc. devised
by will.

WATCHES.

It was so rare to find watches in common use, p. 194. — In 1738,
John Webb, a member of the Junto and friend of Franklin, ad-
vertised for his watch stolen from him as a silver watch, with
an outside case of fish-skin, studded and hooped with silver. It
had a calfskin string, with four steel springs and a swivel, and
two steel seals and a key hanging to the string.

Perhaps the oldest clock in the city is the one to be seen in the
collection of the Historical Society at their rooms on Spruce street
above Eighth; it was deposited there some years ago. Of it Dr.
R. S. Mackenzie wrote the following: "This ancient clock, belong-
ing to a gentleman in this city, was made by A. Fromantell, Am-
sterdam, before he removed to London, where he introduced the art
of clockmaking. This was about 1659, two years after the cele-
brated Huyghens von Zuylichem, the natural philosopher, follow-
ing up a hint thrown out by Galileo, constructed the pendulum
clock, of which a full description is to be found in his great work

Watches. 123

published at the Hague in 1658, and entitled Horolog'mm Oscilla-
torium, sive de Motii Pendulorum. Dr. Hooke, ten years later,
removed the reproach that 'Huyghens' clock governed the pen-
dulum, whereas the pendulum ought to govern the clock,' by-
inventing an escapement, which enables a less maintaining power
to carry a pendulum. This (the crutch or anchor escapement) is
the governing power in the old clock in the Philadelphia Library,
whereas the clock in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania has
the Huyghens pendulum. The Library clock was made, not at
Amsterdam by the elder Fromantell, but by his son at London ;
consequently, it could not have belonged to Oliver Cromwell, as
sometimes stated, seeing that the Protector died in 1658, the year
before any clock had been made in England. To the clock in
the Historical Society a striking apparatus is appended ; it occu-
pies a place on the top of the clock, and is singularly clear in
tone. The clock, as far as we can judge by conij^aring it with a
print, much resembles the horologe presented by Henry VIII. to
Anne Boleyn. It stands about eight inches high, is richly carved,
and is strongly gilt outside. The works are in excellent order,
though two centuries have elapsed since they were made."

This brought out the following article : " Dr. Shelton Mac-
kenzie adopts a very prevalent erroneous opinion in reference to
the date of the invention of the pendulum. This is a subject to
which I have devoted considerable attention, having consulted
every available authority in the English language ; and the irre-
sistible conclusion to which I have been driven is that, along
with the invention of gunpowder, the mariner's compass — nay,
even the art of printing itself — the precise date of the invention,
as well as the name of the inventor, of the pendulum, is involved
in inextricable doubt and obscurity. I am aware that popular
belief is divided between Galileo and Huyghens as to introducing
the pendulum, but, whoever was the inventor, 1 can furnish ocu-
lar demonstration that neither of them is entitled to that credit.
I have in my possession a portable brass clock, with pendulum
movement, made in 1566; and Galileo was born in 1564, and
Huyghens not till 1629. My clock is very similar in appearance
to the ' Anne Boleyn clock,' as represented under the head of
Horology in Chambers's Oyclopcedia ; and it is a remarkable fact
that, with the exception of the engraving, these usually volumi-
nous authors dismiss that clock without a single comment as to
its maker or the date of its construction. The history of my
clock is exceedingly romantic, but is far too lengthy to be pre-
sented at present. Suffice it to say that it originally belonged to
Mary Queen of Scots ; and as the'subject of ancient clocks seems
lately to have attracted considerable public attention, I purpose
depositing mine, at no distant period, in some public place where
it can be seen and examined by the curious in such matters."

Remarkable Watch that Strikes the Quarter Hour. — An ex-

124 Annals of Philadelphia.

tremely fine importcfl watch, made by the celebrated maker L.
Audemar, took the first prize at the Centennial. In external ap-
pearance it is like an ordinary fine watch, with heavy hunting
cases, but a glance at the works and movement shows its rare
value. It strikes the hours like a clock, and after the quarter-
strike repeats the hour-stroke. It is also a minute repeater at
pleasure. There is but another watch of the kind in the country,
and that was owned by the late Matthew Baird. It cost thirteen
hundred dollars, but the one above referred to, a later make than
that of Mr. Baird and with added improvements, could probably
be had for three or four hundred dollars less.

FASHIONS.

Fashions, p. 195. — My father, when he was at Princeton Col-
lege in 1798 and '9, in common with all the students, wore white-
top boots and short breeches ; the boots had toes very sharp
pointed, and sometimes they were made so long as to be turned
up and fastened to the tops with chains, mostly of silver ; va-
rious liquid washes were used to give the white tojis a proper
color and polish. They wore the hair tucked up behind with a
small tortoise-shell comb, or queued. Boots were also worn over
pants, which were then made as tight as the skin, frequently of
elastic w^eb. Swallow-tails ceased to be worn as street coats
about 1844 or 1845.

P. 202. Some years ago, in going along our streets and read-
ing the signs, frequently, in the case of tailors of the first class
— such as Charles Watson, Robb & Winebrenner, and other
well-known firms — they put upon their signs that they were
" mercers and tailors." At the present time many of these
fabricators of garments call themselves " merchant tailors,"
while the ready-made clothing people call themselves "clo-
thiers." The word "tailor" is descriptive of one who makes
clotlies for men, as "mantuamaker" refers to one who makes
clothes for women. A "mercer" is one who deals in silks and
woollen commodities. A "draper" is one who sells cloth. A
draper might therefore be a cloth or silk merchant, neither of
whom made up garments. At one time, when silk in breeches,
waistcoats, and even in coats, was an ordinary material of men's
wear, the mercer might very well be considered as of more than
ordinary importance if he were also a tailor. But as silk has
gone almost entirely out of fashion in men's costumes, there
comes in the draper, who deals in cloth ; and the draper and
tailor may very well be used together. As for the term " mer-
chant tailor," it seems to have been employed to designate a
person in the trade who considered himself above the slop-shop

Carpets, Oil- Cloths, and Paperhangings. 125

keeper. The " clothier " of the present day is the successor of
the slop-shop keeper of the past. The latter had a small estab-
lishment which, when full, might hold three or four hundred
garments. The clothier turns out coats, vests, and pants by
thousands, and being therefore in his own estimation a more
important man than the slop-shop keeper, he is entitled to an-
other appellation.

77ie Ole Bull Hat. — Ole Bull first made his appearance in this
city in December, 1843, and performed here in that month and
afterward, and went to Europe in December, 1845. He wore a
sealskin cap about half the size of a lady's muff at the present
day — in shape quite common of late years on the heads of boys
and young men. Being a novelty, and considered ugly by the
rabble of the town, the wearers of "Ole Bull" caps were ridi-
culed and hooted at, and on a few occasions when the streets
were full — notably on a Christmas Eve — the wearers were at-
tacked and maltreated. The cap suddenly went out of fashion
after that, to be revived again of late years, perhaps on account
of the plenty and cheapness of seal's skin, until even the ladies
adopted it. It is most convenient for gentlemen to wear to
evening-parties, the opera, or theatre ; it can readily be put into
the overcoat pocket.

CARPETS, OIL-CLOTHS, AND PAPERHANGINGS.

They then had no carpets, p. 204. — The carpet industry is cen-
turies old in England, and its origin in the East is lost in the ob-
scurity of time. The manufacture of carpet was not introduced
into this country, with the exception of the home-made rag-car-
pet, until some time after the Revolutionary War.

The first regular establishment in the United States Avas that
of William P. Sprague in Philadelphia, founded in 1791. The
census of 1810, less than twenty years after, reported the whole
product of the United States in this class of goods at 10,000
yards, of which 7500 yards were made in Philadelphia. The
census of 1870 shows that there were then 689 carpet- factories
in the United States, employing 13,000 persons and $13,000,000
capital, paving annually $4,700,000 in wages, and producing an-
nually goods to the value of $22,000,000.

A canvass of the carpet manufacturing business of Philadel-
phia made in July, 1876, shows that there were then 180 carpet
factories in this city, employing 7325 hands and 1572 horse-
power of steam, and producing for the year then ending
22,901,825 yards, valued at $13,929,392. The number oif
power- looms was 592, and of hand-looms 3517. The produc-
tion was divided as follows :

11 *

126 Annals of Philaddphia.

Brussels, yards 370,400

Tapestry 900,000

All-wool ingrain and three-ply .... 6,018,909

Cotton and wool ingrain 12,135,404.

A^enetian 1,582,276

Damask 1,894.836

22,901,825

Since these statistics were collected, McCallum, Crease & Sloan
have added to their busina«s the manufacture of Brussels, and
Horner Brothers and Robert Cameron have commenced the
manufacture of Axminster.

In addition to the above figures, it is estimated that there were
made carpets not included in the above list of —

Dutch wool, valued at • . . §250,000

Wool and rag, valued at 200,000

Hemp and jute, valued at 800,000

Messrs. John & James Dobson, who are

the largest makers of all the grades,

making nearly 82,000,000 a year, also

made rugs and mats valued at, say . . 20,000

Which added to the product as stated

above— viz 13,929,392

gives a total value of products of . $15,199,392

Mr. Lorin Blodget, the well-known statistician, in considering
these figures, in order to arrive as near as possible to what he
deems the true production, adds to the

Product stated— viz $15,199,392

10 per cent, for under- valuation . . . . 1,519,939
And for probable omissions 500,000

giving a total of $17,219,331

The founder of the manufacture of oil-cloths in the United
States was Isaac Macauley, who began the business in Phila-
delphia about the year 1816 at the corner of Broad and Filbert
streets. About the year 1820 he purchased the Hamilton coun-
try-seat, called ''Bush Hill," upon which a mansion had been
built in 1740 for Andrew Hamilton, and used in 1793 as a yel-
low-fever hospital. He converted the mansion into an oil-cloth
factory, and erected in addition thereto large buildings on Eigh-
teenth street and on Morris street, now Spring Grarden street.
The land included in this purchase extended southward from
Spring Garden street to Pennsylvania avenue, and Mr. Macaulev
erected a fine mansion fronting on Hamiltou street, with grounds
extending from Seventeenth to Eighteenth streets, which were
beautifully improved. His success as an oil-cloth manufacturer
induced him to become a carpet manufacturer also, and the old

Carpets, Oil-Cloths, mid Paperhangings. 127

Hamilton mansion was fitted up under the supervision of skilled
M'orkmen from Kidderminster, who were brought over from
England by Mr. Macauley, and who wove in this establishment
the first Brussels carpet made in the United States. Mr. Ma-
cauley spun his own yarn for carpets, and also spun the yarn
and wove the canvas twenty-one feet wide to make his heavy
floor oil-cloths uj)on. He was a man of great energy and enter-
prise, and had stores in Philadelphia and New Orleans for the
sale of his productions. In the financial crash of 1837, Mr.
Macauley fell, and his woollen and carpet mills and oil-cloth
factory were sold and passed out of his hands and those of his
family. In 1848, Mr. Thomas Potter bought the oil-cloth
manufactory at Eighteenth and Spring Garden streets from Mr.
Charles Henry Fisher, the then owner. Mr. Potter had learned
the business of making oil-cloths with Isaac Macauley, and had
been engaged in that business in a factory erected in 1840 by
Potter & Carmichael on Third street above Beaver, on the lot
now occupied by St. John's Baptist Church. The firm of Potter
& Carmichael was dissolved in 1853, Mr. Potter continuing the
business at Bush Hill, where he enlarged the buildings, intro-
duced new and improved machinery, and applied heat to the
drying of the oil-cloths, thus greatly increasing the producing
capacity of the factory. Mr. James Carmichael established an
oil-cloth factory at Second street and Erie avenue, or Cooper-
ville. In 1867 he died, and his factory was purchased by Mr.
Potter in 1868. The widening of Spring Garden street in 1871
forced Mr. Potter to remove his whole business to the Second
street and Erie avenue site, and the property at Eighteenth and
Spring Garden was sold to Mr. Isaac Budd, who built thereon
the beautiful private residences on Spring Garden, Eighteenth,
and Buttonwood streets.

There are now but two oil-cloth manufactories in Philadelphia
— that of Thomas Potter & Sons, at Second street and Erie avenue,
and that of George W. Blabon & Co., at Nicetown Station on the
Heading Railroad. The establishment of Thomas Potter & Sons
covers nearly four acres of ground, and is the largest and most
complete establishment in the United States, and probably in the
world. It has a capacity equal to the production of 1,500,000
yards of furniture and carriage cloth, and 1,000,000 square yards
of floor oil-cloth, annually, employing 250 hands and 50 horse-
power of steam, burning five tons of coal daily for power and
drying, and the actual product having a value of $800,000 per
annum.

The factory of Messrs. George W. Blabon & Co. is of recent
establishment. It occupies six large buildings, employs 100
hands and 1 50. horse-power of steam, principally for heating and
drying, no fires being used in the establishment except in the
boiler-house. All the kinds of floor, table, stair and carriage oil-

128 Annals of Philadelphia.

cloth, enamelled cloths, etc. are produced. The capacity for
making floor oil-cloth is about 500,000 square yards annually,
worth about §200,000, and for the other kinds about 2500 yards
per day, or 750,000 yards per year of 300 working days, and
valued at about §100,000. This firm are also the largest pro-
ducers of painted window shades in the State of Pennsylvania,
and perha[)s in this country, having a capacity for making
50,000 pairs a month, in addition to their oil-cloth trade. The
shades are made of muslin, saturated with oil paint, and having
a border or other design on them.

The oil-cloth manufactories of Philadelphia excited much in-
terest from tiie foreign commissioners visiting the Exhibition,
and the result promises to be that the American goods will
largely supersede the English in the continentjd markets. A
visit of the Austrian commission to the Messrs. Potters' factory,
resulted in an order for 1700 pieces of the furniture oil-cloth, so
well known as a covering for desks, cushions, etc., to be sent to
Leipsic. This class of goods was originated, and is yet almost
exclusively made, in this country, and is known in Europe as
"American leather cloth." The heavy jute canvas or burlaps
of which floor oil-cloth is made is nearly, if not quite all, im-
ported from Scotland.

Fapering of the Walls, p. 205. — Ryves and Montgomery com-
menced the manufacture of paperhangings during the Revolu-
tionary War. Anthony Chardon very early introduced paper-
hangings into Philadelphia.

WASHINGTON'S CARRIAGE.

The carriage of Washington, p. 209 and p. 582. — I have seen
this carriage. It was brought from New Orleans, and exhibited
on Chestnut street as a curiosity. Every one who was desirous
of sitting where Washington had sat paid twenty-five cents for
the privilege. It was then stored away in the lumber-room of a
coacli-factory, and was again exhibited in 1876, at tiie Centennial
Exhibition. It is now at the Permanent Exhibition.

There were two coaches of Washington, as, although AVat-
son and Lossing apparently describe the same coach, they give
different statements of its origin and its end. AVatson says it was
either presented to him by liouis XVI. or was imported for Gov-
ernor Richard Penn ; while Lossing, in Mount Vernon and its
Associations, says Washington, "soon after his arrival in New
York to assume the duties of the Presidency, imported a fine coach
from England, in which, toward the close of the time of his resi-
dence there, and while in Philadelphia, he often rode with his
family, attended by outriders. On these occasions it was generally

RESIDENCE OF MORRIS AND WASHINGTON.— Page 260.

WASHINGTON'S CARRIA(iE.— Page 128.

THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

Washington's Carriage. 129

drawn by four, and sometimes by six, fine bay horses. The first
mention of a coach in his diary, in which he evidently refers to
this imported one, is under date December 12, 1789: 'Exercised
in the coach with Mrs. Washington and the two children (Master
and Miss Custis) between breakfast and dinner — went the fourteen
miles round.' Previous to this he mentions exercising in ' a
coach' (probably a hired one) and in 'the post-chaise,' the vehicle
in which he travelled from Mount Vernon to New York."

Watson says it was sold after Washington's death, and as early
after as 1804-5 he saw it in New Orleans, where it lay neglected,
and was finally destroyed in the British invasion, and part of the
iron Avas reserved for Mr. Watson, and the remainder was used
around a grave ; while Mr. Lossing says : " This English coach
was purchased by the late Mr. Custis of Arlington when the. ef-
fects of the general were sold after Mrs. Washington's death, and
it finally became the property of the Right Rev. William Meade,
bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia. Of this
vehicle the bishop thus writes : ' His old English coach, in which
himself and Mrs. Washington not only rode in Fairfax county,
but travelled through the entire length and breadth of the land,
was so faithfully executed that at the conclusion of that long jour-
ney its builder, who came over with it and settled in Alexandria,
was proud to be told by the general that not a nail or screw had
failed. It so happened, in a way I need not state, that this coach
came into my hands about fifteen years after the death of General
Washington. In the course of time, from disuse, it being too
heavy for these latter days, it began to decay and give way. Be-
coming an object of desire to those who delight in I'elics, I caused
it to be taken to pieces and distributed among the admiring friends
of Washington who visited my house, and also among a number
of female associations for benevolent and religious objects ; which
associations and their fairs and other occasions made a large profit
by converting the fragments into walking-sticks, picture-frames,
and snuff-boxes. About two-thirds of one of the wheels thus pro-
duced one hundred and forty dollars. There can be no doubt
that at its dissolution it yielded more to the cause of charity than
it cost its builder at its first erection. Besides other mementos
of it, I have in my study, in the form of a sofa, the hind seat, on
which the general and his lady were wont to sit.' "

Lossing further says : " This coach was one of the best of its
kind, heavy and substantial. The body and wheels were a cream-
color, with gilt mouldings, and the former was suspended upon
heavy leathern straps which rested upon iron springs. Portions
of the sides of the upper part, as well as the front and rear, were
furnished with neat green Venetian blinds, and the remainder was
enclosed with black leather curtains. The latter might be raised
so as to make the coach quite open in fine weather. The blinds
afforded shelter from the storm while allowing ventilation. The
Vol. III.— I

130 Annals of Philadelphia.

coach was lined with bright black leather, and the driver's seat was
trimmed with the same. The axles were wood, and the curved
reaches iron."

" In a letter to Mr. Lear soon after arriving at Mount Vernon,
Washington mentions the fact that he liad left his coach and har-
ness with Mr. Clarke, a coachmaker in Philadelphia, for repairs,
and requests him to see that they are well done when he shall reach
that city, Mr. Lear being then in New York. David Clarke was
an Englishman, and came over to Philadelphia about the year
1783. He constructed a travelling-coach for the first President,
and was sometimes called ' Wasliington's coach-maker.'"

AVashington had three vehicles — one a post-chaise for travel-
ling and the country; one a family coach, in which he went to
church ; and another a chariot for state purposes. All were
cream-colored, with three figures on the panels. His servants
wore white liveries trimmed with scarlet or orange.

Formerly, livery- stables and hacks, etc., p. 210. — Since then om-
nibuses have had their day, and were the vehicles almost exclu-
sively used on various routes through the city. The fare was
cheap, and they were comfortable at tiiat time ; but now, since the
smooth-gliding and non-jolting passenger railway car, either by
steam or horse-power, has so universally taken their place, it is
almost painful to ride in an omnibus over the rough stones. The
time will come when an omnibus will be a curiosity.

GAS, WATCHMEN, ETC.

The first gas made in Philadelphia, or in the United States,
was manufactured by M. Ambroise & Co., Italian fire-workers
and artists, and was exhibited in burning lights of fanciful fig-
ures, temples. Masonic devices, etc., at their amphitheatre. Arch
street, between Eighth and Ninth, in August, 1796. In 1817,
Dr. Charles Kugler made illuminating gas, with which Peale's
Museum, in the State House, was lighted. The second Masonic
Hall, on Chestnut street, was lighted with gas in 1820, and for
many years afterward. The Gash'ght Tavern, Second street,
near Walnut, was also ilhiminatcd witli gas for some vears.
The Piiiladclphia Gas Company was chartered in 1835, and
commenced operations February 8th, 1836. The city of Phila-
delphia bought out the rights of the company in July, 1841.
Lighting the city with gas was very vigorously urged in the
spring of 1833, and Councils sent Mr. Merrick, the superintend-
ent, to Europe to ascertain tiie most important means of accom-
plishing the object. I can well remember when our churches
were first illuminated with it. Among the earliest was the
church at Tenth and Filbert streets, built for the late Dr. Be-

Gas, Watchmen, etc, 131-

thune in the summer of 1837; afterward the church in Seventh
street, below Arch, built for the late Dr. Cuyler, was thus light-
ed a few weeks later, and then the Unitarian Church at Tenth
and Locust streets. We are not able to say in what dwelling-
house gas was first introduced into the city ; among the earliest
was the residence of the late William F. Fotterall, north-west cor-
ner of Thirteenth and Chestnut streets. The Gaslight Tavern, on
Second street, near Walnut, was illuminated with gas manufactured
on the premises for several. years before the city gas-works were
established. According to our memory, William Neill was the
first to introduce gas into a public tavern after the establishment
of the city gas-works ; he kept the " Old Star " at the corner of
Exchange place and Dock street. There was a rivalry as to
who should be first to introduce it.

Watchmen, lamps, etc., p. 211. — Feb. 8, 1836, gas first made
at the gas-works; to the end of the year 6,481,300 cubic feet
were consumed, and in 1837,17,078,700 feet; number of con-
sumers, 670, and burners 6814; public lamps supplied 301; 4
gasometers, contents equal to 140,000 cubic feet. In 1855 all
the lamps of the city and districts were supplied with gas. The
introduction of gas met with much opposition, many fearing the
city and houses would be blown up, others that the gas when
ignited would carry the flames back into the houses.

Watch-boxes for the watchmen, in our day, stood at nearly
every corner, and as a boy we have watched the '' Charley "
clean up his little house, his lanterns, etc. At night the watch-
men hourly started from their stations, carrying a lantern, a
rattle, and club, and perambulated their allotted district, calling
out the hour thus : *' Ten-o-clock-and-all's-Avell," or " Past
twelve-o-clock-and-a-starry-night." At any alarm, if assistance
was needed, they would spring their rattles, and it was very ex-
citing to hear the various rattles answer and repeat as they gath-
ered together at the place of the first alarm or pursued the male-
factors.

Pavements, p. 213. — Ivalni in 1748 said: "All the streets ex-
cept two which are nearest to the river run in a straight line, and
make right angles at the intersections. Some are paved, others
are not, and it seems less necessary, since the ground is sandy,
and therefore soon absorbs the wet. But in most of the streets is
a pavement of flags, a fathom or more broad, laid before the
liouses, and posts put on the outside, three or four fathoms
asunder. Under the roofs are gutters, which are carefully con-
nected with pipes, and by this means those who M^alk under
them when it rains or when the snow melts need not fear being
wetted by the dropping from the roofs. The houses make a
good appearance, are frequently several stories high, and built
either of bricks or of stone; but the former are more commonly
used, since bricks are made before the town and are well burnt.

132 Annals of Philadelphia.

The stone which has been employed in the buiklinj^ of other
houses is a mixture of black or gray glimmer. Very good lime is

burnt every wliere hereabouts for masonry The houses are

covered with shingles. The wood for this purpose is taken from
the Oiipressus thyoides, Linn. — a tree ^hich the Swedes here call
the white juniper tree, and the English the white cedar. The
wood is very light, rots less than any other, and for that reason
is good for roofs, for it is not too heavy for the walls, and will
serve for forty or fifty years together."

STOVES.

Stoves, p. 218. — But few improvements were made in the art
of heating houses until near the middle of the eighteenth cen-
tury. The stoves most in use were the jamb and German stoves,
made by Christopher Sauer of Germantown. They were square
or box form, set in the side or jamb of the kitchen fireplace, pass-
ing through the wall, so as to present the back end in the adjoin-
ing room ; even though kept up to a red heat, they imperfectly
warmed tlie room. The invention, therefore, of so practical a
mind as Franklin's rajiidly worked its way into use, backed up
as it was by his pamphlet explaining its advantages for health,
comfort, and economy, based upon scientific principles of venti-
lation. He called it the " new Pennsylvania fireplace." He
gave a model of it to his friend Robert Grace, who had castings
made of it. This fireplace was made out of plates with pas-
sages between them through which the air circulated and became
heated, and added much to the comfort of the room. It was
claimed " that there was no draft on the back as before, where-
by a person was scorched before and frozen behind. The stove
gives out more heat than the old-fashioned fireplace, and saves
it from going up the chimney." On the front of it was the
device of the sun, with the motto, " Alter Idem " —

"Another snn, 'tis true, but not the same;
Alike, I own, in warmth and genial flame ;
But, more ohlicing than his elder brother,
ThU will not scorch in summer like tlie other ;
Nor when sharp Boreas chills our shivering limbs
"Will this SUN leave us for more southern climes,
Or in cold winter nights forsake us here
To cheer new friends in t'otiier hemisphere ;
But, faithful still to us, this neiD sun's fire
Warms when we please and just as we desire."

It would perhaps be difficult to trace the first maker of cook-
stoves for the use of coal. In April, 1828, the United States Ga^
zette of this city described an invention which had recently been
perfected by Williamson & Paynter, stove manufacturers, south-

Stoves. 133

west corner of Ninth and Market streets, Philadelphia. It
consisted of " a cast-iron box, fifteen to thirty inches in length,
eight to ten inches wide, and six or seven inches deep. It has
a grated bottom, and is calculated to burn anthracite coal as
readily as charcoal. Upon one edge is placed a common tin-
kitchen, or roaster, in front of which, on the opposite edge, is a
sheet-iron fixture of the same length, which reflects the heat
upon the contents of the tin-kitchen. Through the top of the
reflector may be placed boilers for meats and vegetables. By
means of false jambs the size of the fire is reduced at will. By
displacing the reflector and the tin-kitchen the box or furnace
raay be used to heat water, roast coffee," etc. The contrivance
Avas fixed on four iron wheels, and the cost of it, according to
the Gazette, would not exceed nine dollars. This was undoubt-
edly the first improvement of the kind. Such an adaptation
could not have been made until after anthracite coal came into
common use. It was certainly a great addition to household
economy, and was one of the most important improvements in
stoves since Franklin invented the " Pennsylvania fireplace."
Clement Letourno, stove and grate manufacturer, who in 1832
was at No. 76 North Sixth street, was among the first in this city
to make cook-stoves, and they were also probably made by Jacob
F. Pleis, in Second street above Arch, about the same time.

The Fuel Savings Society, 8th month 5th, 1831, adopted the
following resolution : *' Whereas, the time has arrived when, in
the opinion of this board, the article of anthracite coal ought to
be introduced as a common fuel amongst the poorer classes of
our citizens, and as it appears there is at present nothing re-
quired to effect this desirable object but the invention of a cheap,
simple, and convenient movable apparatus for burning coal, not
only for the purpose of warming the apartment, but for doing
the necessary cooking, etc. for a family," the committee invited
mechanics to invent a stove or grate, to be delivered at a price
not exceeding six dollars and within two months. On Oct. 7th
the committee reported that Steinhaur & Kisterbock had patented
a stove which for cheapness and peculiar simplicity of construc-
tion answered all the purposes contemplated. With one peck of
coal, costing four cents per day, it would warm the room, boil a
wash-kettle of ten or thirteen gallons, and accomplish all the
baking and other culinary purposes required in a family of five
or six persons. The cost by the quantity to the society was $5.50
each, including pipe, pans, poker, and other fixtures. They es-
timated a poor family would use in the cold season of six
months —

2| cords wood, and carting, sawing twice . . $15.00
2 tons egg coal, nearly 1| pecks per day . . . 9.00

Leaving a balance in favor of coal-fuel of . $6.00

134 Annals of Philadelphia.

Enougli to pay the cost of the stove in the first season. The
society at once ordered one hundred stoves. Kisterbock stoves
are celebrated to this day as inexpensive and useful stoves.

Public Stages, p. 219. — In March, 1738, a stage-wagon started
to run t\vi(« a week and back again from Trenton to Brunswick;
it had benches and was covered over ; fare, 2s. 6d. This line
was successful, and stimulated others. In 1740 a line was run
from Bordentown to Amboy once a week on Monday, and thence
by boat to New York, except in the winter. In 1750 a line of
stages started from the Crooked Billet in Philadelphia every
Tuesday to Bordentown, thence on Wednesday and Thursday to
Amboy, thence by boat to New York. These latter two were
rival lines to the New Brunswick route. The oldest stage-road
to New York was the road through Frankford and along the
bank of the river to Bristol, and usually to Coryell's Ferry,
below Morrisville, where the Delaware was crossed ; thence the
route was through New Jersey by way of Trenton and Prince-
ton. What was afterward called "the old York road," or New
Fourth street, was not opened until after the Revolution. It
ran into the old road in the upper part of the county. Of course
there have been innumerable instances of persons driving from
New York to Philadelphia, and ince versd, ever since the foun-
dation of Pennsylvania. At certain times of the year, when the
Delaware was frozen, there were regular stage-routes through ;
but in summer-time the route was by stage-boat up the river to
Bordentown and Trenton, across New Jersey by coach to New
Brunswick, and thence by boat to New York. When steam-
boats came into use — about the year 1809 — the transportation
was by steamboat from Philadelphia to Bordentown. When
the railroad was finished between Camden and Amboy, stage-
coach travel between Philadelphia and New York ceased, ex-
cept for a year or two when the stage-lines fought against the
railroads. The regular stage-coach routes between Philadelphia
and New York ceased entirely about 1836.

Houses Altered, p. 220. — C. P. Wayne's house, Fourth and
High street^, was pulled down about 1850. Stiles's two houses
on Walnut street have long since been pulled down. The large
house of Gibbs, Fourth and Arch streets, still stands, though much
altered. The houses of John llhea were altered into Rhea's Ho-
tel, afterward the United States Hotel; and now the Farmers'
and Mechanics' Bank, the Philadelphia Bank, and the Philadel-
j)hia Trust Company, stand on their site.

The fine woodwork panelling alluded to by Watson can still
be seen in its perfection in some of the fine old mansions on the
Main street in Germantown, notably that of Flliston P. Morris,
Esq., formerly the head-quarters of Washington and of Howe;
also the building near it formerly used by Congress, and now

The Poplar-Worm — Tomatoes. 135

adapted as a reading-room for the workmen. The superiority of
the workmen of that day, who made everytliing by liand, is readily
seen, the fine old woodwork being perfect to this day, with hardly
a crack or warp to it. How long would such woodwork done by
our mechanics last, to be in good order?

James Stokes, p. 222. — He made a fortune at the hardware
business, and, retiring from business, removed and lived in Ger-
man town, where I believe he died, at the corner of Market Square.
The Fassitts, Earps, and Bird, and his sons-in-law, Charles Biddle
and C. P. Wayne, succeeded him in that business ; some of them
were brought up by him.

Segur's Ice-creams, p. 222. — They were very good ; he served
them at his shop in ^larket street between Third and Fourth.
His successor was a remarkably ugly man, with a very large nose,
and a Dutchman by the name of Schrawder (?).

Ice-Houses, p. 222. — Ice was first introduced to families by
Henry Moliere, who first supplied it in carts.

The Poplar- Worm, p. 223. — The newspapers of the day contain
many wonderful accounts of their supposed dangerous bites. The
trees were cut down on account of them, so that the Lombardy is
now a rarity. The linden trees took its place, and they have
now in their turn shared the same fate, in consequence of cater-
pillars destroying their leaves and annoying persons walking under
them while spinning their threads. It \vas a species of measuring-
worm, and offensive in appearance. The introduction of late
years of the English sparrows has, together with the extinction
of the tree, almost exterminated them.

Another objection to the Lombardy was that the roots, running
very superficially, tore up the pavements. They also fell into a
state of decay in portions of the tree, and became very unsightly ;
they were not really suited to this climate. The lindens had also
another objection besides the worms — that of decaying internally,
till they would break off, having no external appearance of decay.
The trees next in vogue were the maples, the ailanthus, and the
horse-chestnut, and some buttonwoods. The one now most likely
to take the places of these, which have all pretty much disap-
peared, is the silver maple, though tree-planting on the streets is
not so much in vogue as formerly, the trees not generally thriving
well ; some suppose the escape of gas from the pipes to be the
cause.

Tomatoes, p. 223. — (See Historical Marj., New York, vol. vi.)
They were raised in Boston between 1815 and 1822, and I think
in Philadelphia before the first date, say as early as 1810. They
were common in New York in 1830, when the first edition of this
work was printed. I remember to have seen them growing in
pots in druggists' windows as ornamental and medicinal plants.
They were slow in coming into general use as a vegetable. They
were also called " love-apples," and cultivated in gardens as ou-

136 Annals of Philadelphia.

riosities, and were by some re])utetl to be poisonous, and by nearly
every one detested as a vegebible. For years ahnost every variety
of pill and panacea was extract of tomato. It now occupies as
great a surface of ground as cabbage, and is cultivated throughout
the length and breadth of the country. A native of Philadelphia
informs us that he first ate tomatoes at New Orleans, about the
year 1817 or 1818. They seem to have been first used in this
country by the French Louisianians, who were acquainted with
tlieir uses on the continent of Europe. They were introduced
into the Philadelphia market about 1829-30, and in five years
the sale of them had become very extensive.

The grapes mentioned by Watson have almost entirely given
Avay to the Concord, the Clinton, the Delaware, and others. Cali-
fornia now ships East tons of the most delicious grapes of the
largest size ; she is also making and shipping great quantities
of raisins.

The growth of the berry and peach trade is enormous, Dela-
ware now far outstripping any other of the States. The berry
trade of Delaware increased from 20 carloads in 1868 to 882 car-
loads in 1876. The largest yield was in 1875, when 905 carloads
were shipped. The increase in the peach trade has been even
more rapid. In 1868 but 23 carloads were shipped, and in 1875
there were marketed 9072 carloads. The crop is very uncertain,
however; in 1876 it fell off to 2117 carloads. From 1867 to
1876, inclusive, the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore
Kailroad, and its branches, transported 33,208 carloads of peaches
and 4551 carloads of berries — 319,474 tons in all — and collected
as freights from these two items alone $1,783,921.83.

CEMETERIES. *

Cemeteries, p. 224. — The custom introduced into this country
by our forefathers of having burial-grounds surrounding the
churches had its origin probably in the Roman Catholic Ciuirch,
as its grounds are always blessed and made consecrated ; it was
introduced into England by Cuthbert, archbishop of Canterbury,
in 758. As ground became valuable in the city, this plan was
changed, and churches purchased lots throughout the city for the
especial purpose of burying the dead. The first burying-ground
was the Weccacoe or Swedes' Church ; the next, the Friends',
Fourth and Arch streets; then Christ Church, in Second street,
and afterward at Fifth and Arch streets, ^^'hen the law was
passed against burials in the city limits on sanitary accounts, a
great im|)etus was given to the more attractive style of cemeteries
on the Grecian and Roman ])lan of being outside the city. A
number were started, however, in the city by those who asso-

Cemeteries. 137

ciated together and bought lots for the purpose. The Friends
were an exception to the first plan, as their burial-lots at first
were ahvays separate from their meeting-houses; as, for instance,
the lot at the corner of Fourth and Arch streets, which had
nearly ceased being a receptacle of their dead, or more than a
century after it was started, before the meeting-house was built
there. The first burial in this lot was that of T. Lloyd's wife,
in 1683 ; William Penn spoke at her grave. For many years
this was a general burying-ground, strangers and the friendless
finding here a resting-place.

In 1825 a number of persons united under the name of the
Mutual Association and bought ground on Washington (formerly
Prime) street, between Ninth and Tenth streets. In the two
following years four other companies adopted the association
principle — the Machpelah, Washington avenue from Tenth to
Eleventh ; the Philanthropic, Passyunk avenue below Cross
street; the Union, South Sixth, from Washington avenue to
Federal street ; the La Fayette, from Ninth to Tenth and from
Federal to Wharton street.

In 1827, James Ronaldson, a Scotchman and an eminent type-
founder, imj^roved the plan by starting a cemetery Ninth and
Tenth streets from Bainbridge to Fitzwater, which should make
the burial-place attractive by trees, shrubbery, handsome orna-
mental tombstones, walks, etc. Though he met with opposition
from the sanctimonious and those opposed to new ideas, it was in
keeping with the feeling of the times, and was successful. He
commenced preparing the lot in the fall of 1826, and the first
interment took place June 2d, 1827, of a lady who died in the
hospital under Dr. Physick. Many tombstones in the ground
bear dates of 1828 and 1829. Before Mr. Ronaldson made it
into a cemetery it was a celebrated skating-lot in the winter
season. At the corner of Tenth and South streets was the old
Lebanon Garden, where a barbecue in honor of Gen. Jackson
took place. (See p. 402 of this volume.)

The next cemetery that was established was that of Laurel
Hill, on the banks of the Schuylkill, extending to Ridge avenue
and from Huntingdon street to Allegheny avenue, and now acces-
sible by cars or steamboat. It is now known as North, Central,
and South Laurel Hill, as it was purchased at three separate times
as the demand increased for more space.

In 1835 the topic of non-sectarian cemeteries had been brought
before the public by the foundation near Boston of the first burial-
place on an extensive scale. Judge Story's beautiful address had
been printed, exciting general interest in a greatly neglected topic
of civilization. Very soon after this well-considered and ex-
haustive oration had been published the attention of one of our
prominent citizens (John Jay Smith) was called to the subject by
the loss of a favorite young daughter. Little other preparation

12*

138 Annals of Philadelphia.

had been made for the dead tlian that around cliurches, and this
was rapidly becoming insufficient for the increasing population
of Philadelphia, then little more than two hundred tiiousand.
Seeing his child interred in the "Friends' Ground" on Cherry
street — which, like the rest of the city soil, was of clay, retaining
water as does a cup — the moment was used to declare that Phila-
delphia should have a rural cemetery in dry ground, where feel-
ings should not be harrowed by viewing the bodies of beloved
relatives plunged into mud and water. The problem was to find
a situation sufficiently near to the population, and yet of a cha-
racter so beautiful in contrast with the usual sites devoted to the
dead. For nearly a year no such place was found, when Laurel
Hill — its original name — long the country-seat of the great mer-
chant Joseph Sims, was offered for sale. It had been chartered
and used as a boarding-school, the principal of which was a
Catholic priest ; but not succeeding in his project, the place was
sold for fifteen thousand dollars, and an attempt to form a union
of citizens for the general good was urged with great energy,
without results. Three other gentlemen, however (Nathan Dunn,
Benjamin W. Richards, and Frederick Brown), finally agreed to
see the enterprise through ; but as much money would be requi-
site and the returns uncertain, the four formed a company,
obtained a charter from the State, and began the attempt to
make a rural cemetery, without much knowledge of the wants of
such an institution.

The place was purchased in February, 1836, and the first inter-
ment was made in October; it was enclosed, but little public
sympathy was visible; and after an ex])enditure of more than one
hundred thousand dollars the panic of 1837 came, and the pro-
jectors were greatly discouraged. The clergy, as a rule, were
unfavorable to the project, believing the time for attendance was
too long to suit their other duties.

The })anic subsiding, the best members of the most extensive
churches, seeing no provision made by their pastors and the
officers, as by common consent came to be, of necessity as well as
choice, willing patrons. In ten years all the expenses incurred
had been paid, and a small profit ensued. This, the public saw,
and willingly paid, was due to the repayment of the risks in-
curred, and success was no longer doubtful. Two church gov-
ernments i)urchased large plots and removed their dead. All
oi)p(>siti()n was thoroughly conquered ; the public gave credit to
the original party and his friends; the clergy themselves sought
admission, and were encouraged to inter there eitiier by gifts of
lots or ultimately by reducing current prices ; it is said there are
more than a hundred interred of this respected class. It was a
great conquest over weak o])inion — one to be recorded.

Successive purchases on the north and south were soon made,
and even then the nearly on'e hundred acres in thirty or forty

Cemeteries. 139

years were found insufficient, and another plot of forty acres on
the south and nearer the city was bouglit and under improve-
ment, when the city authorities, under their charter, with the
right of " eminent domain," declared this ground necessary to
the completion of the Park, and by law took it.

The entrance is imposing, two hundred and sixteen feet in
length, of brown sandstone, with Doric columns. Inside this
entrance is a fine piece of sculpture, by Thorn of Edinburgh, of
Scott's figure and Old Mortality and his pony, from Scott's novel.

A long list of notables lie here, and there are monuments to
others, including General Mercer, Charles Thomson, Commodore
Hull, Godfrey, Justice McKean, Rush, Drayton, Commodore
Murray, Commodore Lavallette, Joseph C. Neal, Graff, Kane,
Ridgway, and many others of distinguished reputations.

There was no future provision made for respectable and orna-
mental burial-places for the wealthy citizens, and Mr. Smith, the
first projector of the original cemetery, with an eye to the city's
prosperity and great needs, succeeded again in purchasing the more
beautiful ground now called "West Laurel Hill Cemetery," at Pen-
coyd Station; by the time-table of the Reading Railroad only four
minutes from Laurel Hill, but in the adjoining county, near the
city line, of Montgomery. It lies higher than any other ground
in the vicinity of the city, is admirably adapted in every respect
to the needs of cemetery purposes, and promises to be the pride
of the city. Situated between two deep ravines, there is no pos-
sibility of invasion by streets ; a little below Manayunk and on
the west side of the river, its views are unsurpassed, no site in the
Park being entitled to rival it in scenery.

The experience derived from a long connection with Laurel
Hill has enabled the president (Mr. Smith) to give new and valu-
able features to the newer enterprise, and it is in the most promis-
ing condition of popular appreciation. It has one hundred and
ten acres, and was established in 1869 as a chartered company.

Monument Cemetery was established in 1836-7, and has a fine
monument to La Fayette.

There are many others, of which the most beautiful and most
noted for its antecedents is Woodlands, eighty acres on the Schuyl-
kill, near Gray's Ferry, in which stands the original mansion of
William Hamilton. Among the notables who lie here and have
fine monuments are Lieutenant Greble, Admiral Stewart, Com-
modore Porter, Drexel, Greble, Birney, Saunders, Moore, Jayne,
and others.

Potters' Fields or Public Burying-grounds. — There have been
several enclosures for free burials in this city, commonly called
" Potters' Fields." The first was the South-east Square — now
called Washington Square. The second was the North-west
S(piare — now called Logan Square. After that, the ground on
Lombard street from Tenth to Eleventh, south side, was appro-

140 Annals of Philadelphia.

priated for a city burying-ground. After that, a lot west of Ridge
road, north of Coates street — about where Twentieth and Parrish
now runs through. The latest is that on the Lamb Tavern road.
Fifty years ago the North-west Square was generally used for this
purpose.

The old graveyard on the west side of the Schuylkill above
Market street, which was demolished by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company, was assigned for use as a burying-ground to
the Centre Square Friends' Meeting-House, about 1682. The
latter not being maintained very long, the ground came to be con-
sidered a j)ublic one — a sort of potters' field — and was used with-
out obstruction for many years. Afterward it was, with the ap-
proval and consent of the Society of Friends, assigned to the
Guardians of the Poor as a free burying-place for the indigent
poor. It Avas sold some years ago by virtue of an act of Assem-
bly, about the constitutionality of which there may be considerable
doubt.

Previous to the Revolution the dead were, for the most part,
carried to the grave on a bier, according to the ancient custom.
This, together with unpaved streets, rendered it a matter of no
small difficulty to go with a funeral farther than Fifth or Sixth
street, especially during inclement weather ; consequently, we
find most of the religious societies establishing their burying-
grounds within those limits, without due consideration for the
natural increase of the population. One belonged to the Second
Presbyterian Church, and extended from Arch to Cherry street
above Fifth, on the north side, from which the dead have all been
removed.

Truffles at " Laurel Hill.'' — The mansion-house in East Fair-
mount Park, with the peculiar octagonal extension, situate on the
Schuylkill River a short distance below the Edgeley Concourse,
belonged during the latter part of the last century to the Rawle
family of Philadelphia, and was called " Laurel Hill" many years
before the cemetery of the same name was laid out a mile or so
above it. The house and grounds covered about thirty-one acres,
and was left by the will of Francis Rawle in 1761 to his widow,
who subsequently married Samuel Shoemaker, a prominent mer-
chant of Philadelphia, who filled many offices in the city gov-
ernment, as well as sitting in the Provincial Assembly. Mr.
Shoemaker was a pronounced loyalist, and in consequence of his
distinguished zeal on the side of the Crown he became one of the
many oljjects of enmity to the members of the Revolutionary city
government, in consequence of which he was attainted of treason
and his estates confiscated. His own property, as well as his life
interest in his wife's, was accordingly sold at public sale. His
life estate in Laurel Hill Avas sold on the 20th February, 1782,
to one James Parr, who a few days afterward leased the property
to the Chevalier de la Luzerne, the French minister, for the term

Auction Sales, 141

of five years. The latter went into occupation, and resided there
during the balance of his stay in this country.

Tlie chevalier of course had his French cook, and the French
cook had his truffle-dog, which, in the pursuit of his vocation in
life, discovered truffles in the grounds around the house, much to
the astonishment and delight of his master. This is one of the
few instances — and it is believed the first — of the finding of the
article in its natural state in this country.

Houses on Water street, p. 225. — Girard Avas one of the last to
leave there — by death, on Water street above Market. His dwell-
ing has been pulled down and stores erected by the city, which in-
herited his property.

Blacksmith-shops, p. 228. — Godfrey Gebler's shop was on
Dock street, on the present site of the Merchant's Exchange.

AUCTION SALES.

In continuation of the account of the rivalry between the as-
piring auctioneers of the time of 1783 and after (as given in Vol.
I. 228), we give the following petition, against himself, of Robert
Bell, which deserves reprinting for his liberal sentiments:
" To the Honorable the Representatives of the Freemen of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly
met :

" The Memorial and Petition of Robert Bell, of the city
of Philadelphia, Printer, Book-Seller, and Book-Auctionier,

*' Respectfully sheweth,

" That your Petitioner being informed the Honorable House
of Assembly have resolved to appoint an Auctionier of Books
for the city of Philadelphia, your Petitioner having resided in,
and continually employed a very considerable number of valu-
able Manufacturers, Paper-Makers, Printers, and Bookbinders
in the Propagation of useful Literature, in said city, for the
Space of Fifteen Years, may probably point him out as eligible
for the department of Book-Auctionier, for the city of Phila-
delphia.

" That during the War, your Manufacturing Petitioner carried
over-Land, at a very great Expence, several Tons of Books Man-
ufactured in Pennsylvania, and sold them by Auction in the State
of Massachusetts, to enable him to pay his Taxes to the State of
Pennsylvania.

" Your Petitioner during the whole of the War, having paid
all the Taxes, to a very great amount ; and particularly, in the
beginning of the year 1782 he paid above Thirty-Six Pounds,
for that year only, will according to Probability give him some
Pretensions to expect that Appointment.

142 Annals of Philadelphia.

"Liberal Governments, are so clearly convinced, that Monop-
olies, Embargoes, and Restrictions, cripple and destroy tlieir own
Manufactures, that they not only carefully guard against them;
but to encourage diligence in Manufacturing, have frequently
given large Premiums to industrious INIanufacturers, towards
the jiromotion and extension of the Trade of their Country.

" That your Petitioner siill carries on a very considerable
Manufacture of Books, and very frequently exports, transports,
and circulates the Manufactures of Pennsylvania, throughout
the most distant parts of the 13 United States, to the increase
of Literature, and the emolument of the Manufacturers of
Pennsylvania.

" Your Petitioner is persuaded that the most certain method to
advance the interest of learning, which he is well informed, the
Legislators of Pennsylvania are much in earnest to promote, is
to leave the sale of Books by Auction, clear from every species
of trammeling, free, entirely free, unrestrained, and unconfincd
as the circumambient Air, then Literature will flourish and
abound, to the illumination of every benevolent Mind, who
wishes for the attainment, and improvement of the rational
Powers of Sentimentalism.

" Therefore, your Petitioner once more lifts up his Petition, to
this most Honorable House, to beseech that no Man, nor number
of Men, may be appointed, but in particular he most fervently
pravs, that Robert Bell, may not be appointed to the Office of
Book-Auctioneer, notwithstanding his apparent pretensions to a
preference.

" Because he is firmly determined, never to encourage so illegal,
unreasonable, and injurious an encroachment, upon the general
Liberty of every individual Citizen, and Manufacturer, of the
State of Pennsylvania, whose Birth-right it is, to sell their
Manufactures, either by Auction, or otherwise, without lett- or
hindrance, M'hen and where they please, agreeable to the original
and inherent rights of Free-Men, confirmed by the Constitution
of the State of Pennsylvania, and by a resolve of the Honorable
the American Congress,

"'That Men still have a right, to Life, Liberty, and Pro])crty.'

"Your Petitioner humbly hopes, that your Honors will take
the Premises into Consideration, and that your Honorable House,
will be pleased to determine this great affair, consistent with the
enjoyment i>f Universal Liberty, which always ought to be pre-
served, and secured to every individual of the Community.

" And your Petitioner as in Duty bound, will ever Pray.

" Robert Bell.
"Philadelphia,

February 2<Sth, 1784."

It is believed that Robert Bell, an Englishman or a Scotch-

Auction Sales. 143

man, who came to Philadelphia about 1772 or 1773, was the
first person who kept a circulating library in this city. He had
his place of business in Third street, below Walnut. He was
also one of the first to establish book-auctions here, in which ef-
fort he met very serious opposition from the booksellers. He
published several works prior to the Revolutionary War, but
during that struggle he seems to have left the city. He died in
Richmond, Virginia, September 16th, 1784. William Prichard
succeeded Bell in the circulating library business. This trade
was never very prosperous in Philadelphia, in consequence of
the establishment of the Philadelphia Library, the Union Li-
brary, the Loganian, the Mercantile, and others.

Of the same name was Bell, the second-hand bookseller in
Market street above Eleventh, whose sons, Thomas F. and
Frederick, were both auctioneers. The former is pleasantly
remembered by many of our readers who attend Thomas &
Sons' sales. He was the best book-auctioneer ever in this city;
he knew the value of books, and gained the esteem of his cus-
tomers by his fairness and freedom from any of the usual
" tricks of the trade."

The following pleasant sketch of early auctions is from the
pen of " Lang Syne :"

"Auctions. — Looking over, the other day, the list of names of
the twelve auctioneers now in commission in the city, and of the
duties annexed, amounting to nearly one hundred and twenty
thousand dollars, paid by them annually into the treasury of the
state, the mind involuntarily glanced back to the time when
neither Connelly, Footman, Fox, nor Yorke had been seen, as
yet, wielding the auction-hammer; when the whole auction
business of the city of Philadelphia, now so populous, was
transacted by Colonel John Patton in a one-story brick house,
No. 78 South Front street, assisted by his two clerks, Charles
Patton and J. B. ; also by Mr. Mitchell, 'crier,' salesman, and
bell-ringer. It was a ' day of small things ' comparatively, but
of great importance at the time, and probably a few reminiscences
relative to auctions in the olden time may not be unacceptable.
Colonel John Patton, in his personal appearance from the stage,
was a very fine, military-looking man, with red and powdered
hair, and of middle age. He had the credit among the pur-
chasers of being thought very dignified in his manner, yet very
affable and civil in business or in superintending the stage dur-
ing the sales. Charles Patton was a young Irish gentleman of
fair complexion, with fine white teeth — all civility, gayety, and
good-humor. J. B. was a fine, portly young English gentleman
with dark red hair ; he was spoken of as being very adroit and
active in business, showing a hearty civility to every one, without
flummery, but with a penetrating, interrogating eye. As was then
the fashion for gentlemen, the colonel and his two aides wore

144 Annals of Philadelplda.

'clubbed hair,' deeply powdered every morning by the barber
— that is to say, the hair liad been first cultivated until it had
become of extreme length, tiien separated into three parts, then
powdered, twisted, and twined together into a kind of three-
strand small cable, then doubled up and fastened by a riband.
AVhen looking to the right, the knot and club of hair rolled
gradually toward the left shoulder, and vice versa when looking
to the left, leaving the cape and all between the shoulders one
comj)lete mass of powdered grease. Possibly it may be ascribed
to first impressions when it is asserted that these powdered
' clubs ' of hair conferred a certain dignified appearance upon
the owners not observable in the French Revolutionary ' Brutus
crop.' Good handwriters being scarce, J. B. was celebrated for
his writing rapidly in an elegant flowing hand. Though no\v
they be as ' plenty as blackberries,' there was (as remembered)
but one ornamental writer spoken of in the city — namely,
William Ivinnear. 'Twas he who executed those holiday no-
tices, framed no one knows where, but preserved carefully for
antiquity's sake, and regularly suspended for a week before
each holiday on the pillar within the Old Congress Bank.

" Mr. Mitchell, the ' crier ' or salesman, was celebrated for his
unparalleled despatch in sales, the brilliant finale of his ' once,
twice, going — gone,' and the neat tap of his hammer. At that
time catalogue sales of goods from England were unknown, being
about the time of the arrival here of the 'Old Alliance,' after
her first American voyage to Canton, amid the firing of cannon
and huzzas from the citizens lining the wharves. There being
but one ' City Auction,' and the hour of sale known to every
one, the purchasers used to assemble early, as at a funeral, near
the door. The ' crier ' then came out with bell in hand, which
he rung for a minute or so; then giving what he called one ' hard
ring,' he proclaimed in his loudest tone of voice, ' We are just
going to begin.' They did not hire a bell-man to keep the im-
mediate neighborhood in irremediable distress by his intermi-
nable jingling, deafening din for an half hour together, without
considering for a moment M'hether or no there might be in the
vicinity some sick prostrated being with imploring eye and hand
beseeching some one, in faint accents, to go and ' stop that dread-
ful bell.' The ' Northern Liberties Vendue,' by Christian Febi-
ger, was held at No. 204 North Second street, above Vine ; the
vendue in Southwark by John Please, at the soutii-east corner of
Front and South streets. Trifling sales were sometimes made
at Billy Cooper's in Jersey, and at the sign of the Fish over
Schuylkill, beyond the High street 'floating bridge.' At the
vendues in the Liberties sometimes one Breneise acted as ' crier,'
and sometimes Charles Smith. Breneise was remarkable for his
cogniac redness of face, his patient and smiling looks, his bell-
metal tone of voice, and his untirino- luntjs during a lone: sale.

Auction Saks. ]45

Charles Smith was a tall, muscular, square-built man, with a
fashionable profusion of dark red hair, which he wore ' clubbed,'
but without powder. A 'cowlick' in front caused the hair to
stand erect from above his narrow forehead. He had a blemish
in one eye, a nose rounded at the point, a square, broad face, a
German accent with a lisp, an extended mouth, with a smirk
upon it at all times, as though in possession at the moment of
some merry thought. He occasionally exhibited a most quizzical
grin, more especially after having, during the time of sale and
from the stage, discharged one of his keenest shafts of satire at
some broad mark among the crowd below. At such times his
mouth extended, rounding upward from ear to ear, not unlike a
very new moon or ' Wilkes ' by Hogarth. The most remote
corner of the auction-room was no security from his biting and
sarcastic wit, and none could hinder or avoid his missives. He
used to be pointedly severe upon those loungers who haunt the
auction-room to kill time, but who never buy, not sparing even
the best purchasers themselves at times, producing anger in some
and laughter in others at this incorrigible (stage) Grimaldi.

" About this period the dry -goods business consisted in regular
spring and fall importations of such English goods as had been
ordered out by the regular importing merchants, and sold by
them to the retailers of the city and to the country * storekeep-
ers,' who came in to buy. Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee mer-
chants were as yet unknown in the business. They were spoken
of as places or settlements away otf in the ' backwoods,' beyond
the Alleghany Mountains ! A trader from thence would be more
gazed after and talked to than one now arriving from Santa Fe
in New Mexico or the mouth of Columbia River. Now and
then the spectacle of a travelling wagon was to be seen passing
through the city, guided by some restless spirit from the neigh-
borhood of Cape Cod ; his wife and children, pots, kettles, and
pans stowed away under cover ; his faithful dog in company,
occasionally vexed and nosed by the city curs while walking,
with drooping head and ears, between the head wheels ; the
man singing (in dismal merriment) some chorus of a song about
the merry banks of the Ohi — o, where, at that period of time,

'The Indian's tread
Stole noiseless and cold as statued lead ;
With eyes of flame and painted head,
'Midst shout and yell their blood to shed.'

"The importing merchants and others who wished to close sales
or get rid of some of their ' old shopkeepers ' used to send their
goods to auction privately or under cover of the night. (What
would Mrs. Grundy say ?) The present auction system — be it
right or be it wrong — the auction stores, strewed thick as the
autumnal leaves with multitudinous bales of English merchan-
VoL, III.— K 13

146 Annals of Philadelphia.

dise, and the sales superintended by agents sent out for the very
purpose, operating in its course to the detriment and final over-
throw of the American importing merchant, Mere as yet unknown.
The only English mercantile agents known as sucli in this city
couki be named at once, as Ralph Mather, Arthur Collins,
J A , and John Mucklethwaite,

" From the floating recollections (of a boy) and the concurring
testimony of others who had knowledge in the business of those
times, eveiy satellite to the dry-goods system must have moved
in their proper orbits. Every rivulet, stream, and river had its
proper boundary and flow toward the great ocean of regular
commerce. The frequent elevated eyebrow and uplifted hand in
astonishment at another and another tremendous crash in the
city was at that time a rare occurrence, — as rare as a Fast Day
proclamation by the then governor, Mifflin.

"Such being the state of things, it is presumable these agents,
instead of haunting the auctions as now-a-days, had little more
to do than exhibit patterns and receive orders, watch like hover-
ing hawks over the interest of their different houses, give an oc-
casional fee to ' Lawyer Lewis ' (that great gun of the law), or
purchase for remittance the first water-bills on London.

" Books being scarce, there existed but one book-auction in the
city, and that a miserable one. 'Twas held by one Delap, in
what had been a dancing-school room in Church alley. As an
auction it used to be lighted by some tallow candles, sufficiently
so as to render the surrounding darkness visible. It was no un-
common thing to hear, during a pending bid, and just as the
'crier' was going to tap with his hammer, the rattle and descent
upon the stage and floor of handfuls of bird-shot wliich had
been thrown against the ceiling by some of the 'young repro-
bates' in the background. One night, by one of them shak-
ing a gauze bag filled with Scotch snufF ('twas said) against the
wall, the whole company was seized with a violent fit of sneez-
ing, which put an end to the evening's sale, notwithstanding the
entreaties for them to stay by old Delap, and the maledictions of
his clerk Partridge against the young scoundrels, as he called
them, while seeking hastilv around for his cowskin.

"Lang Syne."

meeting against auction sales.

Meeting against Auction Sales. — On June 27th, 18*28, a very
numerous and res))ectable meeting of merchants was held at
Clements'. Hotel, and adjourned, to hear the report of the com-
mittee, to the 7th of July at the District Court room. The com-
mittee reported : " That the system of sales by auction is a great
and increasing evil, and highly injurious to the interests of every
class;" and a committee was appointed to prepare a memorial to
Congress. This memorial stated the objections: A few persons

Meetings against Auction Sales. 147

with wealth or influence could purchase the privilege ; the system
was a monopoly ; the secrecy by which the vender is concealed,
and the rajndity with which he can realize, encourage fraud and
stealing by fraudulent debtors, thieves, heedless and guilty clerks,
smugglers, and others; foreign speculators and manufacturers,
selling through the auctions, undermine and ruin the importing
trade; incessant fluctuations thus created are injurious to com-
merce, public morals, and individuals; the prices of merchandise
are increased, etc.

In January 1829, the Committee of Ways and Means of Con-
gress, in answer to the jietition of " several merchants of great
respectability and intelligence, delegates from New York, Phil-
adelphia, Baltimore, and Alexandria," said: "Whatever may be
the frauds and impositions, the committee are of the opinion that
the application of the remedy belongs exclusively to the State
Legislatures." . ..." If, however, sales at auction are the means
by which frauds are committed upon the revenue," or foreigners
could enter goods at lower rates than American merchants, " there
can scarcely be a question either as to the power or the duty of
Congress to interpose its authority. This remedy, however, should
have an appropriate and exclusive reference to the evil it is de-
signed to correct." A tax upon sales would not effect either of
the above, and a bill is reported " to preserve the revenue laws
from violation." It provided : " In all sales by auction of foreign
goods the invoice shall be produced, and a schedule of the goods,
with all the marks and particulars of importation, shall be pub-
lished."

We append a list of the principal firms of auctioneers in exist-
ence from 1828 to 1850, many of them before the first date, and
some after the last date. Those first given were in business in
1828 — though the firms were not just then as here printed :

Benjamin Tevis. Richard F. Allen & Co.

Mahlon Gillingham, afterward Samuel C. Ford, afterward Gill,

Gillingham, 'Mitchell & Co. Ford & Co.

(produced J. B. Myers, after- Moses Thomas & Sons (1836).

ward Myers, Claghorn & Co.). Henry F. Bowen, afterward
John F. Lewis. Bowen & Richards.

Joshua Lippencott, afterward George W. Richards, afterward

Lippencott, Richards & Co. Richards & Bispham (1836).

John Jennings, afterward Jen- Tristram B. Freeman & Son

nings, Thomas, Gill & Co. " (1836).

(1836). Jacob Hanson.

John B. Grant. George Riter.

Peter Graham, afterward Gra- Isaac Billings.

ham & Mandcville. William Anderson.

Sanuiel Wagner. Charles J. Wolber

Michael Nisbit. John D. Goodwin.

148 Annals of Philadelphia.

John Ashmead. H. Cowperthwait & Lord

James B. Oliver. (1836).

George P. Bonnin. William Folwell, Jr. (1836).

S. D. Sager & Co. George Thomas.

Patrick McKenna. Archibald Murphy.

James Clark. Stephen Poulterer.

H. C. Corbit & Co. Henry Erwin.

T. Birch, Jr., & Co. (1836). Win. Baker (now C. C. Mackey).

George W. Lord & Son. 11. Johnson.

Doolittle & West. David Lynch.

James Burk. J. Thomas.

Alfred M. Herkness. Jose])h Gatchel, Jr.

George W. Smith. Joseph Aitken.

Besides commissions, rating from $4000 to $100,000, each auc-
tioneer was obliged to pay, quarterly, duties upon all dutiable
goods sold ; these amounted in the years 1830 to 1833 as follows :

1830.— $124,937.31
1831.— 139,361.22

1832.— $93,552.40
1833.— 78,063.60

thus showing a rapid decline in the business, that for 1833 being
$60,000 less than for 1831. Indeed, with the exception of lead-
ing firms, many of the names in the above list figure but for one
or two years only.

1847, A. M. Herkness started at the present site, " The Ba-
zaar," which had formerly been occupied as an exhibition build-
ino; for a diorama of Jerusalem.

OLD HOUSES.

TJie row of good houses on the south side of Arch street, p. 235.
— These were opposite to my grandfather's house. No. 145 Arch
gtreet. They were George Bringhurst's ; his dwelling was next
to the burying-ground, a red frame dwelling, two stories, with
gable to the street, a grass-}>lot in front, ^vith a ])aled fence.
There were no other houses between it and the larg(i house at the
corner of Fourth street in 1792. This row was built in 1796.
The western house has been conv^erted into a four-story store.
On the north side of Arch street my grandfather built a large
house in 1792. It was a spacious family mansion in the best
style of the day, and iiad a large sideyard. It stood until 1856,
when it and the house west of it (formerly John Cook's) were
both torn down to make rcK)m for fine stores.

Changes in streets, p. 237. — Ijocust street was widened to 50
feet from Eighth street to Wasliington Square (or street, as it was
then called), on the petition of Evans Rogers and Nathan Bunker,

Ready-made Garments. 149

in 1831. The latter wanted then to build a house "somewhat
varying from the usual style of building dwellings," yet " its
neatness of appearance and the comfort of its arrangements will
aid the general improvement of that fanciful part of our city."
It was to take the place of frame buildings then there. Bunker
could not have built his peculiar house.

The reason why many of the old farmhouses are not built at
right angles with modern streets is, they were built before the
streets were laid out, and are generally at right angles with the
roads near which they were erected. The old roads — Frankford,
Moyamensing, Passyunk, Darby, Ridge, Gray's Ferry — did not
run north and south, nor east and west, and houses were con-
structed to front those highways, without reference to their being
laid out east and west and north and south.

READY-MADE GARMENTS.

Selling Ready-made Garments, p. 240. — Watson is not correct
in stating Burk was the first to sell ready-made clothes. In
1794, William Smiley kept a ready-made clothing store, south-
east corner of Water and Market streets ; also Thomas Dobbins,
Front and Market streets. A year or two later John Culin kept
a similar establishment in Market street, near Water, and a few
years after (say 1805) John Ashton kept a ready-made clothing
store in Market street, above Front; and Charles Collins in
Front street, above Chestnut; and about this period Alexander
Dougherty, Front street, near Chestnut ; Enoch Allen, Chestnut
and AVater streets ; Henry Hugg, Market street, below Second ;
Silas W. Sexton and Jacob Painter, Market street, above Front ;
Charles Harkness, same locality ; Charles Hill, south-west corner
Water and Arch streets ; James Wilson, north-west corner Water
and Arch streets ; Lawrence, near Water and Market streets ;
James Boyd, Water street, near Race. Also, in those days there
were Samuel Owens, Auley Brown, S. C. & B. C. Cooper, and
others. Some eighty-five years ago Mr. Smiley was a highly-
esteemed citizen, po])ular with some of the best citizens as a
tailor, and noted for his handsome styles and superior military
suits of clothing, made to order. He lies buried in the old Pine
Street Presbyterian graveyard. Fourth and Pii;e streets. The
first clothing establishments upon Market street were those of
Ashton, Harkness, Sexton, and Collins, all between Front and
Second streets. The last-named continued in business nearly
fifty years; all named above have passed away. In those days
the clothing business Avas carried on exclusively east of Second
street, and chiefly opposite to that which was so long known as
the Jersey Market-house, and contiguous to the old court-house.
Mr. Burk was in business sixty years ago at the corner of Sixth

13*

150 Annals of Philadelphia.

and Clicstnut streets. In 1799, ^y. &. S. Wcvman, of Xo. 39
Maiden lane, New York, who M'ere the pioneers of ready-made
clothing in that city, opened a branch of their estal)lishment here,
at No. 43 North Second street, near Coornbs's alley. The firm
was A. Weynian & Son. This honse was in business here for
only two or three years. The Weynians kept a fashionable
ready-made clothing establishment. The late Josiah W. Leeds
(who came from Massachusetts) commenceil the rea<ly-made
clothing business about the same time. Mr. Leeds's store was on
the we,st side of Seventh street, a few doors above Market street.
On Market street, about the year 1830, there was not one "ready-
made clothing store" on the south side, west of Second street, as
far as Sixth street. There was one well known in those days at
the south-west corner of Market and Decatur streets ; the old
firm of James & Cook. They were well-known clothiers, and
were patronized by the fashionable gentlemen of that time.
Page <fe AVatkinson, some years after, kept ready-made clothing,
and also Robb & Winebrenner, William Wilkinson, and others.
Many can remember that to wear a suit of clothes coming from
" Watson's " would make a gentleman's toilet to be admired, etc.
But those days have passed away, and the ready-made clothing
business has become quite an established thing in our city.

It would be a very difficult thing to say who first introduced
ready-made clothing in this city. Ready-made articles of apparel
for the use of seamen must have been sold in this city ever since
it had anything like a respectable amount of commerce. " Slop-
shops" existed in Water street sixty or seventy years ago.

Mamifadarcs, p. 244. — George C. Osborne was the first manu-
facturer of " water colors" in the United States. He came from
London, England, in the year 1808, and started the business iu
company with another man in New York. A few years after
that he ciime to Philadelphia, and started the same business again,
in company with Mr. D. B. Smith, at the north-east corner of
Sixth and Arch streets, in 1824, and remained with that gentle-
man until 1837, when he died on September 1 of that year. His
son, Georo:e W. Osborne, succeeded liim in manufacturinir water
colors in this city.

Publishing Interests in Philadelphia. — We have in Philadelphia
forty-five newspaper offices, whose annual product is §4,300,000 ;
we have one hundred and three job printing-offices, the value of
whose product is 82,176,000 ; of books the product is §4,193,000 ;
of j)aper and pa|)erhangings, 84,049,000; product of paper-mills,
nearlv §4,000,000; tvpe, §680,000; ink, 8241,000; steel pens,
S30,600: total, §19,675,000. To this must be added about
§1,500,000 for stereotype, electrotype, steel and M-ood engravers,
etc., making an aggregate of about 821,500,000. The total num-
ber of the men employed directly and indirectly exceeds five
thousand.

Music and Pianos. 151

Music. — Blake & Willig were among the earliest music-pub-
lishers in Philadelphia. Mr. Blake died nearly one hundred
years of age, at No. 13 South Fifth street. Mr. Blake stated
that Messrs. Carr and Shetkey were publishing music previous to
1800, and that John Aitken was their predecessor for several years,
at No. 3 or 5 South Third street. It will be remembered by
many — a queer-looking building at the south-east corner of Third
and Market streets. Many of the plain people at that time named
the building " Jones's Folly." Mr. Blake, it seems, came over
from England in the year 1793. The yellow fever was raging
badly. Our city was truly desolate. He said every one seemed
" frightened out of their wits." The year following he began
teaching the flute and clarionet over Aitken's music-store, on South
Third street. He related that one day he was called upon by a
committee of Friends, threatening him, to stop teaching the clario-
net to their boys, or " we will have thee put in prison." Taws
was making pianofortes then, near the corner of Third and Union
streets. The improvement in style of pianos in the past fifty years
is wonderful, but not so in music-printing.

The first manufacturer of pianos was John Belmont in 1775,
followed by James Juliann in 1785. Charles Taws commenced
their manufacture about the year 1789 or '90. Mr. Taws, who
was somewhat of an original in his w^ay, was a self-taught mech-
anician, and came to this country from Scotland about 1785. The
writer of this has seen one of Mr. Taws's instruments bearing
date 1795, and which, in comparison with the productions of the
Steinways and Chickerings, would seem a very diminutive affair.
Mr. Taws at one time was connected with the elder Astor in the
business of importing pianos, and also was of some note as a
builder of organs, which business, like the piano manufacture, he
was amongst the earliest to introduce into the United States. One
or two of Mr. Taws's sons inherited their father's musical ability,
and became, for their day, professors of some standing. About
the first organ built in this country was built for the Salem Epis-
copal Church by Thomas Johnston of Boston in 1754.

The light trail of the red men is effaced, by the road of iron, p. 255.
— A race on the Delaware between Indians and whites occurred
in August, 1845, between four Indians selected from a i)arty then
encamped for the summer at Cake's Garden, at the foot of Federal
street, Camden, and a four-oared barge from the receiving-ship,
then lying off the Navy Yard. The Indians used a bark canoe,
which they brought with them. They placed one of their women
in the centre for ballast. The paddlers ranged themselves two on
each side. The start was at high water, so that there would be no
current to cross or to stem. The course was from the foot of Fed-
eral street, Camden, around the receiving-shij), and return. The
Indians won, beating their competitors more than a quarter of the
return distance. The race was witnessed by a large crowd of people.

152

Annals of PhUadefphia,

The first railroad \vas laid and the first steam locomotive run
in the United States in 1809 — from the stone-quarries of Thomas
Leiper, on Crum Creek, to the landing at Ridley Creek, one mile
distant. Oliver Evans ran the first ciirriage ever propelled by
steam in the world in this city — from his foundry to the river
Schuylkill, a mile and a half, in 1804. A steam-carriage, built
by Nicholas and James Johnson in Kensington, Avas run upon the
streets of Kensington in 1827-28. The first locomotive run in
this country was an English one, called the Lion, upon the Dela-
ware and Hudson Railroad in the fall of 1829. The first Ameri-
can locomotive was built by Colonel Stephen H. Long at Phil-
adelphia in 1830, and was placed upon the New Castle and
Frenchtown Railroad, where it made its first trial July 4th, 1831.
On the 25th of April of the same year M. W. Baldwin had run
an experimental locomotive in the Philadelphia Museum, Arcade,
Chestnut street, which afterward was exhibited upon a track in
Smith's Labyrinth Garden, north side of Arch street, between
Schuylkill Seventh and Schuylkill Eighth [Fifteenth and Six-
teenth] streets. (See p. 485.)

The Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnj)ike Company, with
authority to build an artificial road from Philadelphia to Lan-
caster, was incorporated April 10th, 1791, and the turnj>ike —
which was the first in the United States — was opened in 1795.

PHILADELPHL4 DIRECTORIES.

The First Philadelphia Directory, p. 258. — See Pennsylvania
Archives, vol. x. p. 271, for account of the first Directories.

1785. Francis White.
1785. John Macpherson

1791. Clement Riddle.

1792. None.

1 793. 1 James Hardie,

1812. None.

1813. John Adams Paxton.

1814. B. &T. Kite.

1815. None.

1794./
1794.
1795
1796

map.

- Wrogg.
Edmond Hos^an.

1816.1 T T? u

iDi^ )- James Kob

1817
1817
1818

inson.

Thomas Stephens, map. 1819.

1797. 1 Corn. Wm. Stafford, 1820.

1798. j with map.

1799. James Robinson.

1801^}^' ^^' Stafford.

1802'to \ T r» 1 •

-|oii > James Robmson.

1811. Census, 16 mo.

1821.
1822.
1821.
1822.
1823.
1824.
1825.

Edward Dawes.

> J. A. Paxton.

y Edward Whiteby.

I MeCarty & Davis.

> Robert Desilver.
Thomas Wilson.

Directories. 153

1826. \^ , 1835.)

1827./^^ 1836. VR. Desilver. )

1828 ) 1837. J \2.

to y Robert Desilver. 1837. A. McElroy. J

1831. J 1838. None.

nil rD;silve. l«-.»°}A.MeEW.

1834. None. }868 to | j^,^^^ e„p^i,l_

Most of the above Directories can be seen in the Philadelphia
Library.

White, in Bradford's Pennsylvania Journal of Nov. 30, 1785,
gives notice that his Directory is just published ; price, half a
dollar. In his Directory the names are put down thus:

"Jones Nathan, Shopkeeper, Second between Walnut and
Spruce streets.

" Franklin Benjamin, His Excellency, President of Penn-
sylvania, Market street.

" Bradford Thomas, Printer and Stationer, Front between
Market and Chestnut streets."

It contains 83 pages of names, averaging about 43 names to
each page, making about 3569 names in all.

Maepherson, in Oswald's Independent Gazetteer of 18th June,
1785, announces that his Directory will soon be published, etc. ;
and in Bailey's i'Vfeman's Jowniai of Nov. 16, 1785, he gives
notice that it is just published, "extending from Prime street
southward to Maiden street northward, and from the river Del-
aware to Tenth street westward."

The houses were not numbered until 1790. Clement Biddle,
Esq., Avho was the United States marshal, seems to have given
numbers to the houses while engaged in taking the census, and
at the same time to have collected the names for a Directory.

In Hogan's Directory of 1795, and in Stafford's of 1801, the
names are inserted in their order on the respective streets, and
not alphabetically ; they have at the end an alphabetical index
of the names, with reference to the pages on which the several
names are to be found. Two Directories were published in the
years 1785, 1794, 1799, 1811, 1817, 1821 and 1822, and 1837.

In New York the first Directory was published in 1786. One
was published in 1792; a copy of it is in possession of John A.
Hamersley, 55 Murray street, and the New York Society Li-
brary has Directories from 1793 to the present time.

Haunted Houses, p. 272. — The Wharton House (once called
Walnut Grove), down Fifth street above Wharton, was at one
time celebrated as being haunted, as it had formerly been used
+br the " Meschianza." (See p. 470.)

154 Annals of Philadelphia.

SPORTS AND AMUSEMENTS.

The Dances of Polite Society, p. 276. — In addition to the
names of Bolton and Mrs. Ball (mentioned in Vol. I. 276), we
find one Theobald Hackett advertising in the Pennsylvania
Mercury of Ang. 31, 1738, that he has ** opened a Dancing-
School at the house wherein Mr. Brownell lately lived, in Second
street, where he will give due attendance and teach all sorts of
fashionable English and French dances," etc.

This shows that the accomplishments were rapidly advancing,
for before 1740 a dancing assembly-room was opened under the
patronage of some of the best people, as also an association for
musical pur])oses was formed. Their room for holding these
parties and balls was endeavored to be closed by Mr. Seward,
a friend of Whitefield's, during the excitement caused by the
preaching of the latter.

In 1749, John Beals, music-master from London, at his house
in Fourth street near to Chestnut, taught the violin, hautboy,
German flute, common flute, and dulcimer, and furnished music
for balls and entertainments.

In 1742 the "art of defence of the small-sword" was taught
by Richard Kyenall in Second street; and in 1746 the small-
sword and dancing are taught by one Kennit, though these arts
are publicly denounced by Samuel Foulk as " detestable vices "
and " that they are diabolical."

Graydon, in his 3Iemoirs, says he was taught dancing at the
old Slate-lioof House by Godwin, the assistant of Tioli, and
by the latter. Tins was probably about 1770 or 1772. The
teachers of dancing then were generally found in the theatrical
corps that itinerized through the various Provinces and subse-
quent States. In 1785, in the llyan & Wells corps, there was
a Mr. Patterson who danced on the stage and taught the art.
There was also in this corps a Mons. Russell, a fine dancer; his
French hornpipe, composed of ground shuffling and elevated
operatic volte steps, was very popular. He was the first dancer
that introduced the well-known "pigeon- wing" step that for
many years after was executed in a ludicrous way in our ball-
room dancing, but not deemed by the educated dancer a legiti-
mate step. John Durang succeeded this Russell as a teacher.
In 1796, Mons. Qnesnet, from France, was brought out as
ballet-master by Hal lam & Plenry, at the South Street Theatre.
He was an artist of merit, and soon after opened an academy
of dancing. He died about the year 1819. Mons. Leg6 was
also a member of this corps, and became a teacher of dancing
at Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Byrne, an eminent English
dancer, came out with the first Chestnut Street corps of come-
dians (1793), He opened a school at O'Eller's hotel, where he
taught our fashionables the poetry of motion. After a season he

Racing — Ballooning. 155

returned to London, where he lived to a great age. Mr. William
Francis, the comedian, at the same period taught dancing here.
In 1804-6, '7 and '8, Francis & Durang held their dancing
academy at the hall in Harmony court where amateur theatricals
were then exhibited. From this date, up to 1819-20, the teach-
ers of dancing were Messieurs Auriol, Guillou, Labbe, August,
Bonnaffon, the H. Whale family, and other's whom we cannot
remember. Those who followed are well known to the present
generation.

The Friends in 1716 advised against " going to or being in
any way concerned in plays, games, lotteries, music, and dan-
cing;" and later, that "such be dealt with as run races, either on
horseback or on foot, laying wagers, or using any gaming or
needless and vain sports and pastimes."

Billiard-playing does not seem to have been much in vogue,
though " a new billiard-table " was advertised for sale by Mat-
thew Garrigues at the sign of the Prince Eugene, in Second
street, as early as 1726.

Horse- Racing, p. 277. — In the celebrated race between Eclipse
and Sir Henry, on the Long Island course. May 27th, 1823,
Eclipse beat Sir Henry — four-mile heats ; purse, twenty thousand
dollars.

At the time of the race between Fashion and Peytona, on
the Camden course. May 13th, 1845, an accident took place
by the falling of the spectators' stand. Many were hurt, and
quite a sensation was made by the afternoon papers. Perry
O'Daniel, a watchmaker, then doing business on Market street
near Seventh, was badly hurt, but afterward recovered. The
stakes were twenty thousand dollars.

Ballooning. — In August, 1856, at six p. m., a Frenchman by
the name of E. Godard made an ascension from Parkinson's
Garden, on Chestnut street above Tenth, carrying up a live
donkey. As the beast arose from the ground he drew up his
legs and spread them outj as if grasping for something. Godard
came from out the basket on a rope-ladder, sat himself upon the
donkey's bach, and waved a flag. Next door, at Pogcrs's carriage
repository — which was not then finished — the following incident
occurred upon the roof of that building: All the workmen M'ent
up to the roof — among them two Irish hod-carriers. One of
them had a pipe lit in his mouth. Stuffing the tobacco in with
his finger, between the puffs he made the quaint remark that
" The donkey would go a good ways before he would want shoe-
ing." The other Irishman, with a knife, tobacco, and pipe in
his hand, said : " He will go farther before he will come to a
blacksmith-shop." There were thirty or more persons on the
roof at the time, and all were breathlessly quiet. But the last
remark " brought the house down," and such a roar as it created !
The people assembled in the garden below laughed also, but not

156 Annals of Philadelphia.

at the remarks, for they could not hear them. Godard landed
the donkey in a field back of the Odd Fellows' Cemetery, near
the township line. His wife was in the car of the balloon at the
time. They then detached the donkey, and John S. Keyser,
being present, got in the car and they ascended again, and landed
at Lancaster at nine o'clock that evening. The donkey belonged
to George Grace, living at that time in Brown street above
Eleventh. He afterward figured on the stage of the Walnut
Street Theatre in the Black Haven of the Tombs. He was the
"star" donkey, and died as all donkeys must die. Mous. E.
Godard made several ascensions from Parkinson's Garden. He
went back to France, and was very conspicuous in the balloon-
service during the siege of Paris, when the only means of cora-
nuinication between the government inside the city and the
French forc&s outside was by balloons sent up from the city,
which landed in other parts of France.

Joshua Pusey made an ascension the same year astride of an
eagle made of rattan. He had the wings made to flap like those
of a live eagle. He landed above the Wire Bridge, near the
Schuylkill. He intended on one occasion to ascend from the old
droveyard, Callowhill between Sixth and Seventh streets, on a
manufactured horse composed of rattan and cowhide, which he
exhibited to the public. The ascension did not take place — ow-
ing, perhaps, to the balloon or the stuffed horse or Pusey's head
being overbalanced. Some say that a person in the crowd,
opposed to his going up, fired a pistol into the balloon and pre-
vented the ascent.

FOX-HUNTING.

Fox-ITnnting, p. 277. — This hunting club used to visit occa-
sionally Woodbury, N. J., when my father was at school there
in 1793-94. He has often seen S. Morris and the hounds.
The latter were lodged in a stable back of the academy, where
they made a terrible yelling on being let out for the chase.

The Gloucester Fox-Hanting Club, p. 277. — This pleasant
association was composed of many highly respectable gentlemen,
resident chiefly in Philadelphia, and partly in Gloucester county,
New Jersey. It originated from accidental causes. The reci-
procities of social intercourse between the hospitable gentlemen
of landed property in the blessed retirement of a country life and
the less secluded, liberal-minded Friends over the river, confined
to their respective vocations in the rising city of Penn, laid the
foundation of an association of the most delightful character.
Elegant society Avas then comparatively limited ; while the city
Friend could give a delightful repast, the country Friend could
promise good sport from horses, dogs, and a fox.

Fox- Hunting. 157

A number of sportsmen convened a meeting at the Philadelphia
Coffee-House, south-west corner of Front and Market streets, in
1766, to organize a regular club to provide and keep a kennel of
fox-hounds. Their names were — Benjamin Chew, John Dickinson,
Tiiomas Lawrence, Moor Furman, Enoch Story, Charles Willing,
Thomas Willing, Levi Hollingsworth, James Wharton, Thomas
Mifflin, William Parr, Israel Morris, Jr., Tench Francis, David
Ehea, Robert Morris, John White, John Cadwallader, Samuel Mor-
ris, Jr., Anthony Morris, Jr., Turbot Francis, Zebulon Rudulph,
Richard Bache, Isaac Wikoff, Joseph Wood, David Potts, Sam-
uel Nicholas, Andrew Hamilton, David Beveridge. It was agreed
there should be two hunting-days in each week, with intermediate
days if ordered, but in the course of a year one day a week sufficed.

In 1769 the club prevailed on Mr. Morris to permit his negro
man Natt (who was well known in after times by the name of
Old Natty by every urchin in town and country) to be enlisted
in their service; his powerful aid was obtained for the interest of
the purchase-money of his time and for his apparel. Faithful
bandy-legged Natt was re-engaged year after year on like terms
until he became a free agent, and was then regularly installed as
Knight of the Whip, and became master and commander of a
noble family of canines. This venerable gray-pated African
sportsman was allowed fifty pounds per annum, a house, and a
horse, with Jack Still as assistant.

The established hunting uniform in 1774 was a dark-brown
cloth coatee, with lajjelled dragoon ])ockets, white buttons, and
frock sleeves, buff waistcoat and breeches, and a black velvet cap.
The pack consisted of about sixteen couple of fleet hounds.

A period of war intervened, and superseded all affairs of the
chase until October, 1780, when a slender meeting was obtained
at the City Coffee-House, and the president, INIr. Morris, produced
his accounts for the last two years, when a balance was found due
him of £3553, which was paid by collecting £187 from nineteen
members, amongst whom were Sharp Delaney, Thomas Leiper,
William Turnbull, and Blair McClenachan ; the country gentle-
men— viz. John Boyle, Col. Thomas Robinson, Joseph Ellis of
Burlington, George Noarth, Jonathan Potts, Mark Bird, and Col.
Benjamin Flower — being only registered as privileged hunters,
Mere not regularly assessed. But a contribution was assessed of
$500 on each of these gentlemen to pay off" all the existing old
debts. These sums were in Continental currency. Six pounds
specie was then equivalent to £187 lO.s.

The following gentlemen were admitted members after the
organization and before the club's meetings were suspended by
the events of the war of Independence :

In 1768. — Jeremiah Warder, Joseph Penrose, Joseph Budden,
Edward Cottrrcll, Thomas Foxcroft, John Mitchell, Joseph Jones.

In 1769. — William Parr, James White, George Morris, Wil-

158 Annals of Philadelphia.

liara Hiorn, jSTathaniel Lewis, Joseph Bullock, Samuel Wallace,
Joseph Pcmberton, AVilliam Jones, Austin Tallman.

In 1770. — G. Bonnin, Alvaro d'Orncllas, Tiirbot Francis,
Jas. Boeliannan, Thomas Murgatroyd, Stephen Moylan, Tench
Tilghnian, Samuel Caldwell.

In 1771. — John Boyle, Mark Freeman, Matthew Mease, Stacy
Hepburn.

In 1772. — George Graff, Thomas Williams, John White.

In 1773. — James Mease, James ]Moylan, Robert Glen, Richard
Smith, Joseph Wilson, Samuel Howell, Jr., John Mease.

In 1774. — Bertles Shee, William Straker, William Price.

In 1775. — William Druit Smith, Lieut.-Col. John Patton,
Alexander Xesbitt, Thomas Rowan, Jonathan Penrose, John
Lardner, Lieut.-Col. Thos. Robinson.

In 1776-77 the regular meetings appear to have been wholly
suspended. September 18th, 1778, Samuel Caldwell, Samuel
Howell, Jr., Samuel Morris, Jr., John Boyle, John Lardner, and
Alexander Xesbitt — all from campaign duty — convened, and hon-
orably resolved to pay off all debts incurred in the maintenance
of the establishment since they had the pleasure of hunting to-
gether. They then elected as members Isaac Cox, John Dunlap,
Thomas Leiper, James Caldwell, Thomas Peters, Joseph Ellis,
General Wilkinson, Isaac Melchior, and Thomas Bond, Jr.

The meetings of business were usually called in the city, but
the rendezvous for hunting- was established at William Huofff's
inn, Gloucester Point Ferry, New Jersey, or at the company's
kennel, erected on the banks of the Delaware near the Point,
which in 1778 contained a select pack of twenty-two excellent
dogs, besides ten six-month old pups.

The war ended, the club flourished, and Samuel Morris, Jr.,
governor of the old Schuylkill Fishing Company, was chosen first
])resident, and continued to be annually rechosen until he died,
in 1812. In 1800 there were about f)rty members, and it flour-
ished until 1818, when Captain Charles Ross, the last master-
spirit, died, and with him the club ceased to exist, its ranks hav-
ing become thinned and its adherents disheartened. President
Wharton, the former mayor of Philadelphia, and his ^ew remain-
ing associates, at once resolved on the dissolution of the club.
The pack was unkennelled and dispersed, and the further ser-
vices of old Jonas Cattell, the guide and whipp^'-in, and Cupid,
the fiithful jet-complexioned huntsman, were dispensed with.

The distribution of the hounds, chiefly among the sporting
farmers of West Jersey, has left its mark to this day in their
numerous progeny rnaming in New Jersey.

The hunts took ])lace princii)ally at Cooper's Creek, about four
miles from the city, at the Horseheads, seven miles, at Chew's
Landing, nine miles, at Blackwood Town, twelve miles, at Hes-
ton's Glass-works, twenty miles distant, and sometimes at Thomp-

Dancing. 159

son's Point on the Delaware, many miles to the south. The
hunts usually lasted from one to five or six hours, and sometimes
even for eight or ten hours. In 1798 one of them carried the
pack in full cry to Salem, forty miles distant. In olden times
good hunts were made to view on the sea-beach at Egg Harbor.

This change of position had the advantage of novelty, and
afforded fine shooting in variety and abundance. The increase
of Reynard in Gloucester afforded plenty of sport, and the farmers
welcomed the huntsmen as friends, frequently hurriedly joining
the throng; and of use too, serving as guides or as diggers-out.

Usually about one-half of the club were habitual or efficient
hunters. Among the most enterprising and leading members
were — Mr. Morris, president, and Messrs. Wharton, C Ross, J
S. Lewis, Morrell, Clay, Davies, Price, Denman, R. M. Lewis
W. "VV. Fisher, Humphreys, Harrison, S. Meeker, R. Irwin, S
Allen, J. and A. Hamilton, R. Davis, B. Tilghman, A. Stocker
J. Caldwell, W. Milnor, Jr., T. F. Gamble, J. R. Tunis, J. C
Smith, William Smith, J. Cuthbert, J. Wheeler, W\ R. Stockton
J. Jackson, J. Wistar, and Solomon Park, a veteran of seventy
an intrepid horseman — all residents of the city. Of New Jersey-
men there were Gen. F. Davenport, John Lawrence, Capt. James
B.. Cooper, Capt. Samuel Whitall, Col. Heston, and Col. Joshua
Howell of Fancy Hill, N. J., Samuel Harrison, and Jesse Smith,
the high sheriff of Gloucester county.

Old Carlisle, p. 283. — This man usually dressed in a black
velvet suit.

DANCING.

A List of Subscribe7's, p. 284. — In addition to this list we give
the names of others, members in 1748: Charles Willing, James
Hamilton, Robert Macknet, Thomas Hopkinson, Andrew Elliott,
Kinian Wiseheart, Abram Taylor, Richard Hill, Jr., William
Peters, James Polyceen, John Hewston, David Bolles, John Cot-
tenham, John Moland, William Cozzens.

Great Balls, p. 286.— On the 15th of February, 1808, for
some wise purpose, the Legislature passed an act " to declare
masquerades and masked balls to be common nuisances," and
punishing offenders, housekeepers, participants, and ])romoters.
The act as passed was as follows: "Sec 1. — Masquerades and
masked balls are hereby declared to be common nuisances ; and
every housekeeper within this Commonwealth who shall know-
ingly permit and suffer a masquerade or masked ball to be given
in his or her house, and every person who shall set on foot, pro-
mote, or encourage any masquerade or masked ball, and every
person who shall know'ingly attend or be present at any mas-
querade or masked ball in mask or otherwise, being thereof

160 Annals of Philadelphia.

legally convictecl, .... shall for each and every oifence be sen-
tenced to an imprisonment not exceeding three months, and to
pay a fine not exceeding one tiiousand nor less than fifty dollars,
and to give security in such sum as the court may direct to keep
the peace and be of good behavior for one vear." Then follows
Sec. 2, the form of the indictment, Act of Feb. 15, 1808, P. L.,
49; Purdon's Digest (Stroud & Brigiitly, 1700-1853), p. 573.
In 1860 an act was passed. No. 374, entitled "An act to con-
solidate, revise, and amend the penal laws of this Common-
wealth." (Act of March 31, 1860, P. L., 382.) This subject
of masquerades is not to be found in the code enacted. At .the
same time an act was passed, Xo. 375, entitled " An Act to con-
solidate, revise, and amend the laws of this Commonwealth relat-
ing to penal proceedings." Section 79 of that act reads : " The
following-named acts of Assembly, and parts thereof, and all
other parts of the criminal laws of this State, and forms of pro-
cedure relative thereto, so far as the same are altered and sup-
plied by the act to consolidate, revise, and amend the penal laws
of this Commonwealth, and bv this act, be and the same are
hereby repealed." Then follows a list of the acts ; and on page
453, P. L. 1860, is found : " 1808, Feb. 15. An act to declare
masquerades and masked balls common nuisances, and to punish
those who promote and encourage them." (Act of March 31,
1860, P. L., p. 427.) It is asserted, on one side, that as the new
penal code does not prohiijit masked balls, the act of 1808 is re-
pealed. On the other hand, we have heard it positively asserted,
by good legal authority, that the act of 1808 has not been re-
pealed. The matter is a question of law which may yet have to
be decided by the courts.

EDUCATIOX.

The Friends^ School, p. 287. — William Penn wrote to Thomas
Lloyd in 1689, instructing him to set up a public grammar
school. George Keith was appointed at a salar}' of fifty pounds,
with a house to live in, a school-house provided, and the profits
of the school for the first year. For two years more one hundred
and twenty pounds per annum were to be ensured to him if he
remained and taught the ])oor gratis. This was the first insti-
tution of the kind in Philadeli)hia intended to facilitate the
acquisition of the generally used parts of learning among all
ranks and to promote a virtuous and learned education. The
rich paid for their tuition. This was the "Quaker School," after-
ward celebrated as the place where many of the leading citizens
were educated. It was in Fourth street below Chestnut, east side,
on the lot where now stand three Pictou-front stores.

George Keith was one of the most influential Friends of his

Education. 161

day, but being unsuccessful in his eiforts to confine Quakerism
in America with the fetters of a written creed, he apostatized,
returned to England, and subsequently travelled much as a mis-
sionary of the " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts." It is said that he founded the first Episcopal
church in New Jersey, and that through his instrumentality
many Friends embraced the doctrines of the Church of England.
Keith was a surveyor, and settled the boundary-line between
East and West Jersey. He came from Freehold, Monmouth
county. East Jersey. He was a man distinguished for his learn-
ing and talents, but fierce and contentious in his disposition, in-
tolerant in his faith, rude in his manners, and abusive in his
language. About 1690 he gave up the school and devoted him-
self to preaching, in which he denounced many of the tenets of
the Friends which he had formerly advocated, contemned the
government and the magistrates, and through himself and his
partisans created considerable feeling in the community. He was
disowned by the Friends, at which he raised the cry of persecu-
tion and issued a number of publications. He went so far in
his denunciation of his late associates as to declare them incon-
sistent in assisting in carrying out the laws, in arresting criminals,
or even in taking part in the administration of government.

Keith's successors as teachers were Benjamin Makins, D. J.
Dove, Robert Proud, William Wanney, Jeremiah Todd, and
Charles Thomson.

In 1697, Samuel Carpenter, Edward Shippen, Anthony Mor-
ris, James Fox, David Lloyd, William Southby, and John Jones
applied to Deputy Governor Mark ham for a charter for this
school, which was granted. On October 25, 1701, Penn con-
firmed this charter, and again in 1708, when he directed that the
corporation was " for ever thereafter to consist of fifteen discreet
and religious persons of the people called Quakers, by the name
of the 'Overseers of the Public School.'" In 1711 he confirmed
all previous charters, and appointed as overseers Samuel Carpen-
ter the elder, Edward Shippen, Griffith Owen, Thomas Story, An-
thony Morris, Richard Hill, Isaac Norris, Samuel Preston, Jon-
athan Dickinson, Nathan Stanbury, Thomas Masters, Nicholas
Wain, Caleb Pusey, Rowland Ellis, and James Logan, with
authority in the corporation thereafter to elect the overseers.

Third mo. 7th, 1699, George Fox leaves five pounds for main-
tenance of a public school in Philadelphia. Seventh mo. 4th,
1699, James Fox leaves forty pounds for an intended school to
be erected by the people called Quakers. Sixth mo. 5th, 1702,
Prudence West left for the use of the free school belonging to
the people of God called Quakers, — pounds.

Thomas MnMn, p. 287.— See Col. Records, vol. i. p. 383, where
he is notified "that he must not keep school without license;"
he promised "to take a license," August 1, 1693.
Vol. III.— L 14 »

162 Annah of Philadelphia.

The Log College, p. 288. — Dr. A. A. Alexander of Princeton
published an account of the Log College; generally correct, but
contained some errors.

Andrew Brown, p. 290. — His whole house and family were burnt
in Chestnut street, between Second and Front streets, north side.

Education in Pennsylvania within the Last Half Century, p.
296. — About half a century ago the people of Pennsylvania,
through their representatives, passed a law for the education of
all children in the State whose parents were too poor to educate
them. The township assessor's duty, in addition to his other
duties, was to return to the county commissioners annually the
names of the children between certain ages — say six and four-
teen— whose parents were too poor to pay for their schooling.
The children were permitted to attend the nearest school, the
teacher to keep an account of their time, and present his bill to
the county commissioners, pro])Grly certified by the school com-
mittee or others who sent children to said school that the rate
charged was the same as charged for other schools.

However liberal this might be on the part of the State, it did
not give satisfaction. It was thrown up to these children by
those of their richer neighbors that they were paupers. " The
county pays for your schooling; my papa pays for mine." The
children's talk was carried home to the parents, and caused un-
pleasant feelings. There was another class of selfish people dis-
satisfied. They said: " These poor children are getting a better
education than ours ; they have nothing else to do but to go to
school every day, while ours have to stay at home and work."
However mean and selfish this complaint may appear at this day,
it found ready listeners and sympathizers. Another class of com-
plainers was the large taxpayers. They said : " We have to pay
for schooling our own children, and the taxes to pay for these
poor children, whose parents are too lazy to earn money for that
purpose." The only parties satisfied were those who were pleased
to know that every child had an opportunity of acquiring the
rudiments of an education ; but there was a drawback even here.
There were some parties too poor to pay for their children's
schooling, and too proud to let the a.ssessor return them to be
paid for by the county ; these were kept at home; and this cir-
cumstiince, more than any other, caused the people to think of a
general school law that would educate all the children of the
State on the same footing, whether rich or poor, by a general
tax. This was strongly opposed by those who had already
schooled their children.

At last the Legislature assumed sufficient courage to pass a
general school law, making each township and borough an inde-
pendent school district, which decided every three years by ballot
at the spring election whether or not they would acce|)t the school
law ; and if they did so, a bribe was held out to them by paying

Punishments. 163

their allotted portion out of an appropriation for that purpose.
This appropriation was made from money they had already paid
into the State treasury, so that it was actually bribing them with
their own money. To the great joy of the friends of popular
education, a very respectable number of districts voted to accept,
and received their quota of the appropriation. The quota of
those districts not accepting was still held in reserve, and after
a few years the bait became too tempting, and all accepted.

Each district managed its own way under the management of
six directors, who either examined the teachers or took them
without examination, until a law was enacted for the election
of a county superintendent.

Cost of Education in the City. — The Committees on Schools and
Finance of Councils reduced the school estimate for the year
1878 from $1,712,007.20 to $1,517,983.20— a total reduction of
$194,024.

P. 305. Patrick Robinson died in 1701. He was a mem-
ber of Council, Clerk of the Court, and Register of Wills, and
a very useful man.

In 1703, p. 305. — John Bowling should read John Bewly.

John Sargent (p. 307) should be John Sergeant.

PUNISHMENTS.

1735, p. 309. — Frances Hamilton was punished for picking
pockets in the market, by being exposed on the court-house steps,
with her hands bound to the rails and her face turned toward
the whipping-j)ost and pillory for two hours. She was then re-
leased and publicly whipped.

1816, p. 310. — Captain Carson was murdered by Richard
Smith and his paramour, Carson's wife, about 1814 or 1815.
Smith was hung for the crime on the 10th of August, 1816.

1823, p. 310. — William Gross, who was hanged February 17th,
1823, was convicted of the murder of Keziah Stow, a young
woman, a native of New Jersey, who led a life of shame.

1829, p. 310. — The Reading mail was robbed by Porter,
Wilson, and Poteet on a Sunday morning, December, 1829,
near the intersection of Ridge road and Turner's lane, about
the present Twenty-first and Oxford streets. A milkman, com-
ing into town on the Ridge road, saw the passengers tied to the
trees, and he unloosed some of them. On the trial it came to
light that the three robbers had it in conternplation to enter the
Northern Liberty Bank when they saw their chance good in
daytime, tie the officers, clerks, etc. very expeditiously, and then
ransack tlie vaults, money-drawers, etc., and decamp with their
plunder; but that part of their programme was never put into

164 Annals of Philadelphia.

execution. Porter and Wilson were botli tried for the rol)bery
of tlie mail, convicted, and sentenced to death, the other, Poteet,
turning " State's evidence." Wilson, a few days before the ex-
ecution, was pardoned by President Jackson. The mail rob-
bery was dramatized at the Walnut Street Theatre in the spring
of 1830, Mr. Samuel H. Chapman representing Porter, the par-
ticulars of which were described by Charles Durang in hLs
History of the Plnladelplda Stage. But the affair of the mail
robbery and the incidents connected with it have passed away
and been forgotten, few of the present generation remembering it.

James Porter was executed on Friday, July 2d, 1830, in a
field north of Bush Hill, and near the junction of Schuylkill
Sixth and Francis's lane, corresponding to what is now the
neighborhood of Seventeenth and Coates streets. The day was
very Avarm. The procession left the Arch Street Prison about
eleven o'clock, went out Broad street, and turned off over the
open lots to the place of execution. The Rev. Drs. Hawkes
and Kemper attended Porter on the scaffold. President Jackson
was much censured for pardoning Wilson and allowing Porter to
be hung. The Irish were so much exasperated that they got up
quite an enthusiastic indignation meeting to denounce his con-
duct for })ardoning an American and hanging an Irishman, which
they considered an insult to their race.

The places used for execution in this city have been as follow^s:
Centre Square for criminals hanged before the Revolution ;
Windmill Island for pirates and offenders against the United
States; Logan Square for criminals executed after the Revolu-
tion and up to the time when Gross was hung, in 1823; Bush
Hill for public executions of persons convicted of crimes against
the United States, including Porter the mail-robber and ]\Ioran
the pirate. Since the passage of the law of Pennsylvania pro-
liibiting public executions, otfenders convicted of ca])ital crimes
have been hanged in the yard of the Movamensing Prison.

THE BAR, COURTS, ETC.

Tlie Philadelphia, Bar, p. 315. — Hon. Horace Binney printed
for private distribution in 1859-60 a pamphlet containing biog-
raphies of Edward Tilghman, AVilliani Lewis, and Jared Inger-
soll, three celebrated lawyers. It Avas favorably noticed in the
English reviews, and reprinted in T/ie Inquirer of Mav, 1800,

In the early days of the courts they were presided over by
those who were not lawyei's, but leading men of the Province,
who were styled justices, and were generally those prominent for
zeal and intelligence in public affairs and men of property. Only
professional lawyers were allowed to plead.

In addition to those mentioned in Vol. I. 315-322, we add the

The Bar, Courts, etc. 165

following, who were all in practice before 1750: John Kinsey,
James Parnell, Ralph Asheton, Jos. Alexander, James Graeme,
Joseph Growden, Jr., Peter Evans, George Lowther, John Guest,
Thos. McNemara, Saml. Hassel, Tench Francis, Edward Shijipen.

In an old book published at Philadelphia in 1767 are the
following names : Thompson, Meredith, Wharton, Clymer, Mor-
ris, Chew, Mifflin, Biddle, Peters, Wilcocks, Logan, Pemberton,
Norris, Worrell, Emlen, Bullock, Fishbourne, Marshall, Francis,
Harding. From the names of lawyers that have been preserved
in the published lists of members of the bar, there were no per-
sons bearing the names above enumerated who were practitioners
of law in this city before the Revolution except Benjamin Chew,
Tench Francis, Edward Biddle, and Richard Peters. The other
persons bearing the surnames which have been quoted were gen-
erally engaged in trade. There was no Meredith at the bar pre-
vious to the admission of William Meredith, who was admitted
in the year 1795. There was no Thompson before Ross Thomp-
son, admitted in 1782. Richard Wharton was the first of that
name at the bar, being admitted in 1786. The first Clymer
(John M.) who was a lawyer was admitted in 1793. Gouverneur
Morris was admitted in 1781 ; John F. Mifflin in 1779; Alex-
ander Wilcocks in 1778. James Logan, although he was chief-
justice, was not a professional lawyer. The first Logan at the
bar was Robert M., who was admitted in 1838. No person
bearing the name of Pemberton has ever been a member of the
Philadelphia bar. The members of the Norris family before the
Revolution were all merchants, although one of them was chief-
justice. William Norris, the first lawyer of that name admitted,
came to the bar in 1806. The first of the Worrells at the bar
was admitted a few years ago. George Emlen, Jr., the first of
that name, came to the bar in 1835. The name of Bullock does
not a])pear in the bar lists, nor does that of any Fishbourne.
Isaac R. Marshall — the first of the name — was admitted in 1811.
George Harding — the first of that name — was admitted in 1849.

The brevity of the dockets shows how little business was done
in the early days of the courts ; those of the orphans' court be-
tween 1719 and 1731 occupied only sixty-nine pages of foolscap
— about five pages to the year. The word ''regrating" ap})ears
a number of times in connection with hucksters forestalling the
market and buying up produce, it being an indictable offence.

Disloyalty against the king brought down punishment on the
offender. The punishments were severe and various. Heavy
fines, whipping on the bare back at the cart's tail around the
town, burning in the hand or on the body, standing in the pil-
lory or the stocks, etc., are to be seen in the records.

In 1706, Governor Evans submitted a bill for the organization
of the courts to those practising. He disputed with the Assembly
about the bill for appointing judges and magistrates, with their

166 Annals of Philadelphia.

compensation, also the creation of a court of ecjuity. As the As-
sembly had not much confidence in Governor Evans, they re-
sisted the latter clause vigorously. He pressed upon them the
appointment of Judge Mompesson, a judge of admiralty, who
came over in 1704 and who was appointed chief-justice in April,
1706. Evans insisted u])on having only men skilled in the law
and at sufficient compensation. But the Assembly thought good
lawyers were so scarce that the keeping of them would be costly
and uncertain ; therefore twenty years' experience showed them
there were men of knowledge sufficient to judge of matters aris-
ing in so young a colony.

These court disputes were constant, arising from the frequent
repeal of the Provincial laws and the contests for superiority
between the governors and the Assembly, the former claiming
power as a Proprietary right, and the latter as inherent in the
people. Evans tried to iiave created a court of chancery, and
himself, as the king's representative, chancellor. His efforts
failed from want of confidence in him. Governor Keith was
more successful, and the court was established August 10, 1720.

THE CHEW FAMILY.

Benjamin Cheio, p. 318. — Colonel Samuel Chew emigrated to
this country in 1671 with Lord Baltimore and many other gen-
tlemen, with their retinue, who settled in Maryland. He came
from Chewton, in Somersetshire, England, and located on West
River in Anne Arundel county. Samuel Chew, a member of the
Society of Friends, was a physician, but had also acquired so ex-
tensive a knowledge of the law, and consequent reputation, that
he was appointed chief-justice of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex
counties, afterward constituting the State of Delaware. Friend as
he was, he was public-spirited enough to enforce from the bench
the jH'opriety of lawful war or defence of one's country ; this charge
was reprinted in the Philadelphia journals, to the scandal of the
Friends, who opposed voting supplies to the king when in 1745
the colonies were threatened by the French.

Cliveden, which has such historic interest connected with the
battle of Germantown, consisted of about sixty acres. The house,
a large stone mansion, weather-stained and venerable now, and
built after the solid and picturesque fashion of the old time, was
built by Benjamin Chew for his country-scat. Benjamin Chew,
born in the family mansion on West River in 1722, in early
life exhibited a f)ndness for intellectual pursuits. He was a
student in tlie office of Andrew Hamilton in Philadelphia; was
much esteemed and trusted by him, because of his talents and
assiduity ; and after the death of that distinguished lawyer com-
pleted his professional studies in the Middle Temple, London, in

The Chew Family. 167

1744. On his return his ability and attainments speedily ac-
quired for him extensive practice and reputation, both at the bai
and in public affairs. He became successively attorney-general
of the Province, member of the governor's Council, recorder of
the city, registrar of wills, and chief-justice of the Supreme Court,
before the Revolution. At that period Mr. Chew was a Tory, so
far as that word implies — not indifference to the rights of his
country or approval of the tyrannical measures of the Crown, but —
loyalty to his government, reluctance to sever old ties, and dissent
from what he and many other honest men at the time thought
the premature measure of independence. Notwithstanding the
courtesies he had paid to Washington, Adams, and the prominent
members of the Continental Congress of 1774 at his sumptuous
table and elegant house in Third street below Walnut, Congress
passed a resolution to arrest those " disaffected or dangerous to
the publick liberty," amongst whom were Judge Chew and John
Penn and a number of influential Friends. They were sent to
Burlington, N. J., where they remained as prisoners for about
a year, being released in 1778. That Chew's rectitude and hon-
orable character were recognized, notwithstanding his political
views, the friendship of Washington both before and after the
war, and his appointment by Governor Mifflin to the office of
president-judge of the High Court of Errors and Appeals, are
sufficient proof. Mr. Chew was distinguished not only for his
legal attainments, for purity and ability as a judge, but for gen-
eral literary culture, private worth, and the accomplishments of a
gentleman. He died Jan. 20, 1810, aged eighty-seven years.
One of his daughters married Alexander Wilcocks in 1768 ;
Harriet married Charles Carroll of CarroUton ; Sophia, one of
the belles of the " Meschianza," married Henry Phillips of
Maryland ; and Peggy, another of the belles, married John
Eager Howard of Baltimore in 1787. Washington was at the
wedding of the latter, and must have felt the contrast between
that period and ten years before.

Benjamin, junior, succeeded to the estate of Cliveden. Born
in Philadelphia September 30, 1758, he studied law and per-
fected his studies in London at the Middle Temple. He prac-
tised only a few years. He married a wealthy lady, Catharine
Banning, in 1788. He entertained La Fayette in 1825 with great
splendor; the occasion was commemorated by a large painting
now in the possession of the family. He died at Cliveden April
30, 1844, aged eighty-six. Two of his sons, Benjamin Chew, Jr.,
and Samuel Chew, took up the hereditary practice of the law,
and occupied prominent positions. The property is still in the
hands of their descendants.

Jared Ingersoll, p. 322. — Afterward in Chestnut street, oppo-
site the State House.

Joseph Moylan (p. 322) should be Jasper Moylan.

168

Annals of Philadelphia.

P. S. Duponceau, p. 322. — Afterward X. E. corner of Chest-
nut and Sixth streets. His house was a large one, and stood
back from the street. It was torn down to give place to the
large structure formerly known as "Hart's Buildings."

Edward Tdghvmn, p. 322. — Afterward Chestnut and Carpen-
ter's court.

P. 322. The dress of Judges McKean, Bryan, Atlee, and Rush
in 1785 consisted of scarlet robes, and they sat with their hats on
while administering justice.

In the Minutes o/ CouncU, p. 323. — (See Col. Pecs., vol. i.)

It is manifest, etc. p. 324. — (See Col. Peas., vol. ii., p. 259;
"Records of" Com. Council," Ibid., pp. 249, 251, 252.)

THE MILITARY.

The Association Pegiments, p. 326. — Early in January, 1748,
the Associators met and elected as officers of the companies —

Captains.
Charles Willing,
Thoraa.s Bond,
John Inglis,
James Polegreen,
Peacock Bigger,
Thomas Bourne,
William Cuzzins,
Septimus Robinson,
James Coultas,
John Ross,
Richard Nixon,

Lieidenants.
Atwood Shute,
Richard Farmer,
Lynford Lardner,
William Bradford,
Joseph Redman,
Robert Owen,
George Spafford,
William Clemm,
George Gray, Jr.,
Richard Swan,
Richard Renshaw,

Ensigns.
James Claypoole.
Plunkett Fleeson.
T. Ijawrence, Jr.
William Bingham.
Joseph Wood.
Peter Etter.
Abraham Mason.
William Rush.
Abraham Jones.
Philip Benezet.
Francis Garrigues.

They then marched to the State House, where the president and
Council were in session. The officers elected as colonel Abraham
Taylor, as lieutenant-colonel Thomas Lawrence, and as major
Samuel ^IcCall. The companies averaged one hundred men.
The companies of the county chose —

Captains.
John Hughes,
Samuel Shaw,
Henry Pawling,
Thomas York,
Jacob Hall,

Edward Jones,

Abraham Dehaven,
Christopher Robbins,
John Hall,

Lieutenants.
Matthias Holstein,
Isaac Ash ton,
Robert Dunn,
Jacob Leech,
Joseph Levis,
Griffith Griffiths,
William Coats,
Roger North,
Peter Knight,
Joshua Thomas,

Ensigns.
Frederick Holstein.
John Rol)erts.
Hugh Hamilton.
John Barge.
William Finney.

James Richey.

John Pauling.
Benjamin Davis.
Philip Wynkoop.

The Military. 169

Edward Jones was colonel, Thomas York lieutenant-colonel, and
Samuel Sliaw major of this regiment.

By April nearly one thousand Associators were enrolled and
under arms. They immediately proceeded to construct batteries
— the first at the wharf of Anthony Attwood, under Society Hill,
between Pine and Cedar streets. The breastwork was about eight
feet thick, made of timber and plank, with earth rammed in,
constructed for thirteen guns. It was built by the carpenters
furnishing their part of the work gratuitously, and was finished
in two days. The largest battery, " The Association," was con-
structed below Swedes' Church, upon the site lately occupied by
the Navy Yard, and presented a j^entagonal front to the river,
with embrasures for twenty-seven cannon.

The cannon were diligently hunted up from various sources.
A number were gathered from the wharves, where they had been
lying ; some were purchased in Boston ; others were borrowed
from Clinton, governor of New York, through the intervention
of Franklin and others ; some were imported from England ;
and fourteen were received from the Proprietaries. From these
sources the armament on Association Battery was increased to
fifty cannon, eighteen-, twenty-four-, and thirty-two-poiuiders ;
one of the latter was presented by the Schuylkill Fishing Com-
pany. The brave defenders mounted guard every night, suffer-
ing no vessels to pass between dark and daylight. A company
of artillery to work the guns was formed under an old priva-
teersman. Captain John Sibbald, and a guard placed over the
powder-house. But all of the preparations were for naught.
Though French and Spanish cruisers captured vessels at the
mouth of the river, none of them ascended to test the bravery
of the battery-men.

The citizens met at the new meeting-house^ p. 326. — This is a
mistake. The " new-meeting-house," at the north-west corner
of Third and Arch streets, was not erected till 1750. It was in
the '' New Building" in Fourth street below Arch, afterward
"the Old Academy," where Gilbert Tennent then preached. (See
Penna. Archives, vol. xii. p. 440.)

Gideon of Philadelphia, p. 331. — Jacob Gideon was a tenant
of my grandfather in a two-storied house in Arch street above
Fourth. He made and sold shoe-blacking, and was more re-
markable as a " trumpeter " than for good deeds.

Gen. John Macpherson, p. 331. — He was afterward naval officer
of Phi!adel))hia — a fine-looking man, till in his later years he
was afflicted with a huge wen or tumor on his neck, which be-
came so large as to require to be supported by a handkerchief
or bandage. From its situation it could not be removed without
endangering his life; it ultimately caused his death. He married
a daughter of Bishop White.

The Oily Troop, p. 333. — This, the oldest military organization

170 Annals of Philadelphia.

in the United States, was organized Xovember 17th, 1774. Tht
cavalry attached to the Philadelphia brigade during the Western
exi)edition (" Whiskey War") in 1794 were the First City Troop,
Captain John Dunlap, and Captains Abraham Singer's and Mc-
Connell's troops, the two latter being together about one hundred
and sixty strong. A list of the officers and men of the City
Troop will be found in the by-laws, muster-roll, and papers
published by the Troop in 1856, and in the History of the
Troop, published in 4to in 1876. They left the city on the 8th
of August, and returned on the 28th of December.

Philadelphia Blues. — There is in this city an old book of
1812, in manuscript, containing the "Kules and By-laws of the
Philadeljihia Blues," Captain Lewis Rush, who resided at that
time at Xo. 125 Race street. The book also contains the signa-
tures of the members, with their places of residence. This com-
pany was attached to the first battalion of the Fiftieth Regiment,
Philadelphia militia. The " Philadelphia Blues" was a company
which was in existence before the war of 1812. I^ewis Rush,
its captain, was made colonel of the first detachment of militia,
which in 1813 was quartered at Staunton, Shellpot Hill, and
Oak Hill. This detachment marched from the city May 13th,
and returned to the city July 27th. During that campaign the
com])any was under the command of Henry Myers, captain ;
William Cole, first lieutenant; George Geyer, second lieuten-
ant ; Michael Sager, third lieutenant ; and John Suter, ensign.
In the campaign of 1814 this company did not serve. It prob-
ably went out of existence or was united with some other.

Our MiUlary Commanders. — For the first time in over eighty
years the militia force of Philadelphia consists of only one bri-
gade. Recent orders of the governor have abolished the Second
Brigade, and consolidated the reiriments belonging to it with the
First, so that what is called the First Division is nothing more
than one brigade. In 1793 the volunteers of the city and
county of Philadelphia were marshalled into one division and
two brigades, which were called the "City Brigade" and the
" County Brigade." The City Brigade, afterward called the
"First Brigade," had between 1793 and 1876 as brigadier-gene-
rals— Thomas Proctor, William Mac])herson, Francis Gurney,
John Shee, John Barker, Michael Bright, Robert Wharton,
George Bartram, Thomas Cadwalader, Robert Patterson, An-
drew M. Prevost, George Cadwalader, John P. Bankson, Henry
Muirheid, and Robert Brinton. The County Brigade in the same
period had as generals — Jacob Morgan, Isaac AVorrell, Michael
Leib, William Duncan, Thomas Snyder, Samuel Castor, John
D. Goodwin, Augustus L. Roumfort, William F. Small, John
Tyler, Jr., John Bennett, John D. Miles, J. William Hoffman,
and Russell Thayer. About 1842 a Third Brigade was formed,
and Horatio Hubbell was appointed brigadier-general. He was

The Military. 171

succeeded by John Sidney Jones, William M. Reilly, and De
Witt C. Baxter. During the war of the Rebellion the Fourth
Brigade was formed, and William B. Thomas was its first and
only brigadier-general. The Fifth Brigade, embracing colored
troops, was also formed during the war, and Louis Wagner was
brigadier-general. There was also a Reserve Brigade, which
General Frank E. Patterson commanded, and a Home-Guard
Brigade under General Pleasanton. The major-generals com-
manding these brigades have been eleven — James Irvine, Walter
Stewart, Thomas Proctor, Thomas Mifflin (who was appointed
January 1st, 1800, and died twenty days afterward), Thomas
Proctor again, John Shee, John Barker, Isaac Worrell, Thomas
Cadwalader, Robert Patterson, Charles M. Prevost, and John
P. Bankson. The longest term of service was that of General
Robert Patterson — from 1828 to 1865, thirty-seven years. The
longest term of a brigadier-general was that of George Cadwala-
der— from 1842 to 1865, twenty-three years. Major-General
Isaac AVorrell and Brigadier-Generals Robert Wharton, George
Bartram, and Thomas Cadwalader of the City Brigade, and
William Duncan and Thomas Snyder of the County Brigade,
commanded during the war of 1812.

We had some eminent officers of the United States in com-
mand at Philadelphia during certain contingencies — among them
General Israel Putnam, 1775-76 ; General Schuyler and the
Marquis de la Fayette in the early part of 1777; Benedict
Arnold and John Armstrong in 1778. William Macpherson
commanded during the Hot- Water War; and in the war with
Great Britain, 1813-14, Generals Joseph Bloomfield and Ed-
mund P. Gaines were commanders of the military district in
which Philadelphia was situated. It will therefore be some-
what of a novelty to have but one brigade in Philadelphia,
although the city is much larger and has a greater population
than when there were five brigades. But there are some changes
in the militia laws which should be taken into consideration.
Formerly, wlien every male between the age of eighteen and
forty-five years was liable to militia duty, there was a consider-
able establishment of regiments with their colonels and other
officers, the privates of which turned out once a year and toed
the curbstone in order to save their fines. Such a militia system
was a farce. In time it was abolished ; and since the establish-
ment of the National Guard, which consists entirely of uniformed
and disciplined volunteers, there is no reason for continuing bri-
gade organizations if there are not enough troops to fill up the
ranks. This seems to be the trouble with the military estab-
lishment just now. A few years ago we had a veiy handsome
force of volunteer soldiers, but for some reason the military
spirit is declining and the companies and regiments are falling
off in number. It is rather absurd to witness the parade of

172 Annals of Philadelphia.

what is called "a brigade " which turns out no more than a
thousand or fifteen hundred men. Yet as meagre a show as
this /;«-s been made on some recent occasions. As Piiiladelphia
will have but one brigade, it cannot ))roj)erly have, under such
circumstances, a major-general to command that one brigade.
There ought to be two or three brigades in a division ; and that
is the reason of the rumor which obtained to the effect that the
governor intended to consolidate the brigades of Philadelphia,
Chester, and Lancaster counties into one division. The rumor
was somewhat premature, but it is probable that it will be
carried out by a plan shaped on the model reported.

The resignations of Major-General Brinton, First Division,
Major-General Pearson, Sixth Division, and Brigadier-General
Loud, Second Brigade, have been accej)ted by Governor Hart-
ranft. General Pearson's and General Brinton's staff officers
also resiirned at the same time, and their resignations have all
been accepted. Colonel Maxwell of the Sixth Regiment has
been placed in command of the First Division, and Colonel
Guthrie of the Eighteenth Regiment htis been assigned to the
command of the Sixth Division. The resignations of these
general officers were all tendered with a view to the further-
ance of the effort to reorganize the National Guard, which will
reduce the major-generals to one and the brigadier-generals to
five.

P. 333. In the British colonial army for the Province of
Pennsylvania, 1757-58, and afterward, according to the Penn-
sylvania Archives, the officers of a company were captain, lieu-
tenant, and ensign. Bailey's Dictionary, published in 1736, de-
fines an " ensign " to be " an officer in a company of foot-soldiers
who carries the flag or colors." An ensign, therefore, was not
a lieutenant, but in authority he was more like the color-sergeant
of modern militiary establishments.

The forts at Grays Ferry, on the line of the Schuylkill River, p.
333. — The militia had nothing to do Avith building the forts in
the neighborhood of Philadelphia during the war of 1812.
Those works were built according to the plans and by the au-
thority of the Committee of Defence apjiointed at a meeting of
citizens of Philadelphia, held in the State House Yard on the
2(ith of July, 1814, of which Charles Biddle M-as chairman.
The fortifications Nvere built by citizens of Philadelphia — not as
militiamen, but as volunteer workmen. The fortifications were
erected by different bodies of men on different days. There was
a brilliant parade of the Free Masons. The Irish had their day,
the clergy a day, and the colored men a day. Besides the forti-
fication at the intersection of the road to Darby and the road
from Gray's Ferry, there was one on Fairmount and one on the
south side of Chestnut street, very near to the Schuylkill River.
For many years after the conclusion of the war the young of both

The Military. 173

sexes were in the habit of repairing to this last fortification on
Easter Monday and rolling Easter eggs down the slope toward
the river. About ten years ago the Historical Society published
a volume containing the minutes of the Committee of De-
fence. (See p. 491.)

Col. Pluck, p. 333. — Colonel John Pluck was prominent in
the affairs of our local militia from about 1828 to 1830-31.
He was hostler in a market-tavern in the Northern Liberties,
and was elected colonel of the Eighty-fourth Regiment of Penn-
sylvania militia in order to bring discredit upon the militia sys-
tem. Members of his regiment paraded in fantastical dress, and
the organization was known as the " Bloody Eighty-fourth."

The Grays. — The Artillery Corps of Washington Grays, organ-
ized in 1823, first attracted attention in the La Fayette reception in
1824. The appearance of the corps was particularly noticed by
La Fayette; and in honor of that compliment the Grays apj)ear
in the background of the portrait of La Fayette painted for the
city of Philadelphia. The Washington Grays' monument at
Broad street and Girard avenue was erected April 19th, 1872.

The Philadelphia Grays were organized about the year 1828-
29. The first commander was Captain John Miles. They
visited New York on the 4th of July, 1828. Afterward
George Cadwalader was the commander, and the company then
became one of the first in standing among the military. At one
time it was organized as flying artillery, and there were frequent
exercises of the men with the guns on the hill back of Harding's
tavern, near Fairmount, on the Schuylkill. On the breaking out
of the war in 1861, the company volunteered "for the first call
of troops," and after its return the corps was disbanded. Our
townsman, the Hon. John K. Findlay, who commanded the Lan-
caster Fencibles, became captain of the Grays after Cadwalader.
Several of the original members are still living. Lieutenant
Hastings was the first officer under Cadwalader, and he fre-
quently had the company on parade. It always made a fine ap-
pearance. James Hanna, the lawyer — on Walnut street at that
time — was a lieutenant ; also Mr. Budd, a Third street broker.

For some years the Washington Grays and the Philadelphia
Grays had their armories in the Union Building, at the north-
east corner of Eighth and Chestnut streets — one company being
located in the part of the building fronting on Chestnut street,
and the other company in the northern part. Their uniforms
were very much alike, and they frequently paraded together.

Soldiers in the Mexican War. — There are no means of ascer-
taining how many soldiers Philadelphia furnished for the Mex-
ican War. The First and Second Pennsylvania regiments were
partly made up of Philadelphia soldiers. The companies that went
from Philadelphia were those of Captains Binder, Bennett, Hill,
Morehead, Scott, Small, and Naylor— probably six hundred men.

174 Annals of Philadelphia.

The " Scott Legion " is composed of the survivors of those who
served in the \var.

French Spoliation Claims. — During the difficulties between
Great Britain and France, before the commencement of the
present century, American commerce suffered from both bellig-
erents, particularly by the Berlin and Milan decrees, etc. Dur-
ing that time many American vessels were detained and their
cargoes confiscated by France. Claims were made against the
French government for remuneration by American merchants,
and the United States prepared for war with France and took
retaliatory measures. Something like a peace was patched up
in 1800. In 1803, Jefferson bought Louisiana from France for
fifteen million dollars, of which four million dollars were as-
sumed to be paid by the United States government to citizens
who had suffered by French spoliations. That was the hist of
it, so far as practical results are concerned. The claims for spo-
liation were estimated at four million dollars, and the United
States government undertook to pay them, releasing France
from responsibility. This act of justice has never been per-
formed. Bills for the spoliation claims have frequently been
before Congress, with favorable reports, and have been passed
in one chamber and defeated in the other. On one occasion a
bill for the settlement of the claims was passed by both Houses,
and vetoed by the President. The United States government
has never paid them, and this swindle is to be added to the rank
dishonesty of the repudiation of the Continental money, and
the latest disgrace of falsifying the public money and decree-
ing that ninety cents' worth of silver shall pass for one hun-
dred cents' worth.

The original challenge, p. 334. — This is now in possession of
the Historical Society. The Boston Xev-s-letter, published at
Boston Oct. 24, 1715, says: "Our governor had a letter from
the bishop of London to suspend Mr. Phillips; which is done;
and on Sunday last all our parishioners met at the church as
formerly, and Mr. Talbot preached forenoon and afternoon to
them." Talbot was the travelling companion of George Keith,
the celebrated Quaker and afterward Churchman.

The Pennsylvania, Gazette of February 10, 1730, says: "Two
young Hibernian gentlemen met on Society Hill and fought a
gallant duel l)efbre a number of spectators — not very usual on
such occasions." . . . . "iVs they were parted without much
difficulty, and neither of them received much hurt, it is gene-
rally looked upon to be only a piece of theatrical representa-
tion."

This low sandy beach (p. 336) is now built upon by city stores
and wharves. I^ong within my father's recollection and time
did it remain a convenient j)lace fn* washing and swimming
horses, and for shallops loaded with hay, the carts backing in to

The Blue Anchor. 175

where the vessels lay at a distance from the street. These stores
have since been sold by the city.

Maj.-Gen. George Cadwalader died Feb. 3d, 1879, aged 72 years..
His brother, Judge John Cadwalader, died Jan. 26. When eigh-
teen he joined the First City Troop; in 1832 was captain of the
Philadelphia Grays; in 1842 brigadier-general of the First Brig-
ade ; served as such in the Mexican War, and was made major-
general for his services. He served bravely through the rebellion.

THE BLUE ANCHOR.

As early as the year 1691, p. 336. — See Hazard's Colonial
Records, vol. ii. p. 9, seq., for the following:

"18th of lObr., 1700. Griffith Jones, and Henry Elfreth,
mean purchaser under him, complain that part of a Bank Lot
in the ffront street before the Blue Anchor, granted by tiie Pro-
prietors Commrs. by patent to the s"^ Griffith Jones, and by him
sold to John Townsend, who sold it to the said Elfreth, was by
public order of Govr. Lloyd, attended by the Justices, taken for
the use of the public, the said Elfreth's building hindered and
stop't to their great damage, by the ground-rents not being paid
to Griffith Jones, and by Henry Elfreth's being molested, and
thereupon his materials for building in a great measure lost."

" Henry fflower and other evidences appeared and certified that
the justices stopt Elfreth's building about the year 1691, and
would not suffer him to proceed therein." (P. 9.)

"19th of lObr., 1700. The business of Henry Elfreth and
Griffith Jones, being adjourned yesterday to this morning, was
again brought on." .... "Ordered, that David Lloyd, in whose
hands several papers relating to that affair are said to be lodged,
should be called, and accordingly he came and produced a peti-
tion signed by several Housekeepers and Inhabitants requesting
that there being the greatest conveniency of a landing-place and
harbor at that place of the bank where the Blue Anchor stood, it
should be ordered by the Govr. and Council, who have the power
thereof, to be laid out for a Public landing-place and harbor, that
being the inducing reason at first to settle the town where it now
is." . . . . " There was also produced an order of Council held
at Philadelphia, y^ 4th of 6th mo., 1691, in the rough draught,
that there should the place be reserved for a landing-place," etc.

" Resolved, That there shall be measures taken by next Coun-
cil day, that the Town of Philadelphia shall make satisfiction to
the said Elfreth for the losses he has sustained." (P. 10.)

"15th 12mo., 1700. The business about the free landing-
place at the Blue Anchor, debated before this board on the 19th
day of the 10th mo. last, was again considered.

"Ordered, that it be still recommended to the persons to whom
it was before recommended, further to continue their care and

176 Annals of Philadelphia.

consult some of the most considerable inhabitants in Town, who
may chiefly have the benefit, and see what can be done therein."
(P. 12.)

" 15th 12rao., 1700. The business about the free landing-place
(at the Blue Anchor) moved to this Board on the 15th of last
month, was this day again moved, and inquired how far those
persons to whose care it was committed, had proceeded and what
they had effected therein ; who answered. That upon Trial made
with several inhabitants, they found no inclination towards com-
pliance with what was proposed, where upon it was ordered, that
about a score of the most considerable inhabitants in the lower
ends of the front and second street, should be summoned to meet
the Gov'' at 4 in the afternoon. Ordered that the secretary should
send a summons." (P. 14.)

" Post meridiem quodem die. Pursuant to the summons or-
dered in tlie morning, seventeen of the inhabitants appeared, and
the subject matter was proposed and fully discoursed of, but they
showed no inclination to comply with what the Gov"" thought
might reasonably be expected of them, and they were thereupon
dismissed." (P. 14.)

"19th 3d mo., 1701. Application being again made to this
Board in behalf of H. Elfreth to have that affair of the public
Landing-place concluded, on which Samuel Carpenter proposing
to lay down £100 to satisfy Griffith Jones for his ground rent,
and the said Elfreth for his damages, on condition that the town
will give him the public wharf at the end of Walnut street in
Exchange." " Recommended to the further consideration of the
Council at the next setting." (P. 19.)

"20th 7th mo., 1701. Assembly ask of Gov^ that Public
Landing-places at the Blue Anchor and Penny Pothouse be con-
firmed to be free to Inhabitants of this town, no infringing any
man's property." (P. 39.)

"29th 7th mo., 1701. Gov^ replies, 'I am willing to grant
the ends of the streets where and when improved — and the other
accorrVmg to your request.^ " (P. 42.)

"24th Oct., 1701. The case of Henry Elfreth is referred to the
Council of the Gov'', and they to recommend it to the Town that
some care may be taken therein." (P. 54.)

Upon the subject of a harbor for shipping, p. 337. — (See a trial
between the Northern Liberties and the City, Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania, July term, 1850, No. 133; also the facts of the
case may be seen in a pamphlet published by F. C. Brightly.)

Anthony Ilorris's breiv-house, p. 339. — Other brew-houses
were —

"To be sold, all that large and commodious Brewery and Dis-
tillery situated on Wharton's wharf, next to Swedes' Church,
belonging to the estate of Edward Crosson, dec'd." [Fenna.
Journal, July 14, 1763.)

Prisons. 1 77

" All the materials and stock on hand of the Brewery in Sixth
street between Market and Chestnut streets occupied by Robt.
Henderson & Co., together with a lease of the brew-house and
distillery-house for six years." {Ibid., Oct, 27, 1763.) This
must be the brewery at present (1879) at the same place, for-
merly Gray's brewery.

Clarke & Moore are in tenure of brew-house, etc. in Sixth be-
tween Arch and Market. {Ibid, April 25, 1765.) This must
have been Larer's late brewery, there about 1857.

1667, p. 342.— This should be 1767. The statement is prob-
ably also an error, as in Du Simitiere's MSS. in the Philadelphia
Library is the following sentence: "The place where the Dock
was to be continued from Walnut street in a diagonal line to
Third street has been vaulted over and filled up, and is intended
to be a market-place by the name of Exchange Market." {Du
Simitiere's 3ISS., No. — , p. 9.)

In the year 1784-, p. 342. — (See the law for this in Smith's
laws, vol. ii. p. 101.)

P. 347. A sewer was constructed in 1849 from Dock street
down Walnut street to the wharf From Dock street to Second
it was dug out and the sewer built ; but from Second below to
the wharf it was tunnelled without opening the street, except at
about midway between Second and Front, where an opening was
made and the work all done under ground; below Front they
had to einploy a steam-engine to raise the water, which was ex-
ceedingly troublesome to tlie workmen. Some ancient logs and
bottles were dug out, supposed to have belonged to the first
settlers.

P. 349. Dock street is frequently mentioned in early patents.
It was a street laid out thirty feet wide on each side of Dock
Creek, and that is the reason why the present Dock street is
broad. It is much wider than the original width of the creek.
The street called " Little Dock street " was called " the New Cut."

PRISONS.

The Old Court-house, p. 350.— Gabriel Thomas states in 1698 :
" There is lately built a noble Towne House, or Guild Hall, also
a handsome Market House, and a convenient Prison." This
would appear to refer to the court-house, though Mr. Westcott
and other reliable authorities do not believe that it was erected
for eight or nine years after, or about the date of the Charter of
Privileges to Philadelphia as a city, October 28, 1701. The
building was appropriated to general city and county i)urposes,
including the City Council.

Kalm in his Travels (i. 45) says: "The Court-house stands in
the middle of Market street, to the west of the market. It is a
Vol. III.— M

178 Annals of Philadelphia.

fine building, with a little tower in which there is a bell. Below
and round about this building the market is properly kept every
week."

Etting, in his History of Independence Hall, says : " The Gen-
eral Assembly and the govtrnor''s Council never held their sessions
herein, as some have imagined," and as Watson so fully states.

The place of holding the county elections was changed from
the County Court-house to the State House in 1766, and the
first election there took place on the 6th of October. The city
election always took place next day, unless it happened on Sunday.

Year J6S.J, p. 356. — (See Col. Bees., vol. i. p. 92 ; it is there
11 mo., 1683.) This prison and cage are laid down in the mid-
dle of Market street on a MS. survey of it by Edward Pening-
ton, surveyor, in 1698; as well as Letitia court, in Recorder's
office. (See Vol. I., and p. 118 of this volume.) By a minute
of Council, July 10, 1700, it had already become a nuisance, and
a lot had been purchased at Third Street for a new prison.

" Wm. Clayton of Chichester producing an ace' of £11 lis. Or/,
due his father, Wm. C, deceased, for building a cage for male-
factors in the town of Philadelphia at the first settling of the
Province," .... "ordered that the Provincial treasurer discharge
the s^ ace'." July 26, 1701. {Col. Recs., vol. ii. p. 26.)

In 1723, p. 359.— It was ordered to be sold April 1, 1723.
It is reported June 3 as sold to Alderman Fishbourne, treasurer,
for seventy-five pounds, which he is to carry to the credit of the
corporation, and have the walls pulled down and streets cleared
of it. (See Min. Com. Council, 1704-1776, pp. 227, 230.)

The law for building a new one was that it should be erected
within three years from March 25, 1718.

In October, 1729, the keeping of a tavern in the prison was
presented by the board as a great nuisance, and its removal
recommended.

The Stone Prison, p. 360. — Feb. 28th, 1780, an act was passed
by which the Supreme Executive Council " may and shall sell
and convey the said old gaol and workhouse in the City of
Philadelphia {i. e. fronting on the south side of High street and
extending along Third street from Delaware, as the same was
holden by Joshua Carpenter in trust for the use of the city and
county of Philadelphia) to the private use of the purchaser by
deed or deeds under tiie great seal, signed by the Pres' and Y.
Pres' of said Council for the sole benefit and advantage notwith-
standing of the said citv and co." (See Smith's Laics, vol. i.
p. 486.)

In 1785 the lot on which this prison stood was sold, and those
adjoining on Third and on Market street. The purchasers were
—deeds dated Nov. 23, 1785—

John Fries, corner lot, 22 X 80, for . . . . £1215
Martin Baisch, High street, 22 X 80 ... 1000

Prisons. 179

Jacob Barge, High street, 22 X 80 . . . . £935

Thomas Goucher, Third street, 20 X 66 . .

John Britton, " " . . 640

John Hnbley, " " . . 675

Samuel McLane, " " . . 635

John Steinmetz, " " . . 535

Thomas Poultney, " " . . 535

{Col Recs., vol. xiv. p. 583.)
It contained in breadth 16 feet and length 240 feet, bounded
north by High, east l)y Third street, south by back lots, and
west by a lot formerly belonging to Thomas Rowland. (See
sect. 4 of act passed Feb. 26, 1773, for erecting a new gaol, etc.
in Smith's Laws, vol. i. p. 402.)

T!ie Wabiut Street Prison, p. 361.— Dec. 16th, 1775, "part of
new gaol is now in order for reception of prisoners ; they are to
be removed from the gaol and workhouse." {Col. Pecs., vol. x.
p. 429.)

A series of articles on the Walnut Street Prison were pub-
lished in the Sunday Dispatch, commencing Oct. 16, 1859. .

Just before the Revolution this building was projected, and
was finished in 1773, about the commencement of hostilities, but
was not immediately used for county purposes. The Americans
used it for confining their prisoners of war, and the British
while they held Philadelphia did the same with their captures.
(For an account of their atrocious behavior to their prisoners see
Vol. II. p. 300.) It was at this time dubbed "the British
Provost."

The building came into its proper use as a county prison in
1784, when the prison at the south-west corner of Tliird and
Market streets was demolished, and the ])risoners w^ere removed
to it. It stood on the south side of Walnut street opposite the
State House Yard, occupying nearly half the block, and extend-
ing to the corner of Sixth street and running back to Prune
street. It was built of stone, was two stories high, with a base-
ment, antV surmounted by a bell-tower. The centre portion pro-
jected a few feet, and was finished with a gable rising above the
roof and breaking the long line of the cornice. The doorway
was reached by a high flight of stone steps, which were flanked
on either side by a one-storied structure, where were the offices
or residences of the jailers' families. The northern portion —
that is, the front on Walnut street — was occupied as the prison-
house and prison-yard of criminals and convicts ; and the south-
ern, or Prune street portion, was used for the safe-keeping of
persons imprisoned for debt or other- civil delinquencies. Crime
and poverty, then, were the tenants of the two apartments, sepa-
rated by a courtyard, of the gloomy tenement which then occu-
pied this s])ace. Crime either languished in what was called
solitary confinement, dark, idle, and uniustructed, or was set to

180 Annahi of Philadelphia.

labor in a common and noisy Morkshop, the chief business of
which was sawing stone — the most frequent, becau'^ the simplest,
of employments. Poverty dratrged through the day, without
occupation or resources, until the rcguUir return of the insolvent
court operated as a general jail delivery, clearing the tenants for
the time being, whose places were soon supplied by a fresh
swarm, to be in their turn swept away. Imprisonment for debt,
properly speaking, is now wholly abolished with us. For some
time previous to the total abandonment of the system the num-
ber of inmates in the "Debtors' Apartment" had been gradually
diminishing by the operation of successive acts of the Legislature,
Avhich first prohibited the arrest of females for debt ; next, the
imprisonment of men for debts under five dollars; and then
authorized debtors arrested in any case to give bond, with surety,
for their appearance at the next insolvent court, instead of await-
ing its return in actual confinement.

The Walnut Street Prison was sold at the Exchange in the
spring of 1835, John Moss being the purchaser for some New
York brokers and bankers — said to be the Messrs. Joseph — for
the purpose of erecting a hotel ; but the project was abandoned.
The ])rice paid was two hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
Tiie removal of the prisoners to the Moyamensing Prison took
place in the fall of 1835, and the building was taken down in
the ensuing year.

Many incidents occurred in this prison which would be inter-
esting. Smith (the murderer of Carson), Gross, and other mur-
derers were confined there. Robert Morris the financier, Wil-
liam B. Wood, and otliers were prisoners for debt. There was
an outbreak in the Walnut Street Prison on the 22d of Septem-
ber, 1795, when a body of convicts escaped through the Sixth
street gate. Five prisoners made their escape in 1817 by forcing
the lock of the door of the vestibule leading to tlie Sixtli street
gate and by burrowing under the gate into the street. On the

29th of July, 1819, Jock Smith, Mcllhenny, and other

prisoners attempted to saw through the bars. Failing in that,
they made a rush into the hall and attempted to batter down the
iron doors leading into Walnut street. In this attempt they were
foiled, principally througli the efforts of a black prisoner named
Powell. On tlie 20th of January, 1820, Powell was attacked by
the convicts and killed. The prisoners generally were in a state
of mutiny, and ranged furiously through the yard and corridors.
An attempt was made to get out at the Sixth street gate by bat-
tering it down. Citizen soldiers were called in, and fired upon
the rioters from the wall. One prisoner — John Runner — was
killed l)y this fire. The prisoners were then subdued, jirinci-
pally through the efforts of Colonel John Swift, and thirteen or
fourteen of them were subsequently tried for the murder of
Pov/ell, but they were not convicted, for want of sufficient

Prisons. 181

evidence. Several attempts were made to break out between
1820 and 1829, and at one time six prisoners got over the wall
and escaped. On the 26th of February, 1829, Jock Smith and
nine others escaped from a room on the Walnut street front by-
sawing off the window-bars and letting themselves down. The
marks of their boots on the front of the building Avere visible
until it was torn down. These were the principal insurrections
at the prison, but in none of them does it appear that any of the
convicts escaped by means of false keys.

In 1807, the Arch Street Prison, a fine large building, was
built on the south side of Arch street, from Broad to Schuylkill
Eighth [now Fifteenth] street. It was intended to be used for
State prisoners, but, some difficulties arising, it was apportioned
for untried })risoners and debtors. When the Moyamensing
Prison was finished this Arch Street Prison was demolished
and sold, in the spring of 1835. David Winebrenner — then a
tailor on Chestnut street — was the purchaser, the price paid
being one hundred thousand dollars. He afterward sold the
ground to various parties for building purposes. It was for-
merly used for the debtors' apartment — for those who were im-
prisoned in those days for debt until relieved by taking the ben-
efit of the insolvent laws. Porter the mail-robber was incarce-
rated there previous to his execution, July 2d, 1830. It was
there that the cholera made such havoc on the memorable Sun-
day in July, 1832, and it was in that prison that our late towns-
man and ex-mayor, John Swift, Esq., rendered such efficient
aid.

The Moyamensing Prison was commenced in April, 1832,
and finished in 1835. The "Debtors' Department," in the
Egyptian style, adjoining the main building, was finished at
the same time.

In 1843 the late Joseph C. Neal wrote a story for Godey's
Ladys Book with the title, " The Prison Van ; or, The Black
Maria," In this story Mr. Neal says: "In Philadelphia the
prisons are remote from the courts of justice, and carriages —
which, for obvious reasons, are of peculiar construction — are
used to convey prisoners to and fro. The popular voice applies
the name of 'Black Maria' to each of these melancholy vehicles;
and, by general consent, this is their distinguishing title." As
long as the convicts and untried prisoners were acconnnodated
at the Walnut Street Prison there was no difficulty about bring-
ing them to and from the courts, the distance being very short.
When the Arch Street Prison was built, it was used principally
for untried cases. How the prisoners were conveyed between
the courts and that prison is somewhat a matter of conjecture.
Sometimes they were walked between those points in the charge
of constables or sheriffs. In particular cases they were conveyed
in private carriages. But when the Moyamensing Prison was

182 Annals of Philadelphia.

finished, and the Arch Street and Walnut Street Prisons were
torn down, some better and safer plan for the transportation of
prisoners was necessary; and this led to the establishment of a
rcGcular coach for prison service. The Moyamensing Prison was
iiiiishcd in 1835, and the prisoners were removed to it in 1835—
36. Consequently, it may be assumed that the coach called "Black
Maria" first made its apj)earance on our streets in 1836. In size,
shape, and appearance it diifered very little from the present
prison-vans, which are painted in brighter colors. It was paint-
ed a gloomy black. Why it was called "Black Maria," any
more than " Black Sam " or " Black Nancy," is one of those
things which no fellow can find out. The nickname "Black
Maria " was given to it soon after the conveyance made its
appearance by somebody, until the a])pellation became common,
significant, and well understood.

Whipping-post, pillory, and stocks, p. 361. — Sept. 23d, 1726,
the governor complains of " frequent riots and disorderly prac-
tices " "within this city, an instance of which appeared in burn-
ing down in the open market-place the inllory and stocks on the
evening of the 1st inst." A proclamation was to be issued.
[CoL Ptecs., vol. iii. p. 260.)

"It appears from a letter from V. B. Brj'an, dated Mar. 17,
1779, that the pillory and whipping- post had at some period
been removed to retired places, and not in or near the market,"
" contrary to the common usages of the countries where the Eng-
lish common law is received.'" "As punishments of this sort
are rather influential on others than on the criminal himself,
much of the usefulness of public punishment by this circum-
stance is lost. I have it therefore in charge (of Council) to call
upon you to replace the pillory and whipping-post in the ptiblic
market of this city, referring you to the county commissioners
for the expense." (See letter to James Claypoole, high sheriff
of Philadelj)hia county, in Penna. Archives, vol. vii. 252.)

These barbarous measures, p. 361. — For instance see Col. liecs.,
vol. ii. p. 406, Feb. 25, 1707.

MARKET-HOUSES.

Market-houses, p. 362. — There was pulled down in August,
1852, an old building standing in the rear of the stores built by
John Sharp on the site of the old Indian Queen Hotel, on Fourtli
street between Market and Chestnut, which tradition said was
a market-house. It had a cupola. No account has been found
of when it was built. The Philadelphia Courier and Inquirer
of Aug. 19, 1848, said: "In the rear of the buildings fronting
on Franklin place, and extending some sixty or eighty feet

Market-Houses. 183

north and south, stands an edifice known as the first market-
house in Philadelphia. To this point the settlers along the
Delaware were accustomed twice a week to bring the products
of their * clearings ' in boats and arks, to sell to the inhabitants
of the infant colony, and the antique spire, towering above the
creek, served as a guide to them and to the tawny sons of the
then not distant forest on their way to exchange their furs for
the products of civilized life. The placid creek has given place
to spacious mansions and well-thronged streets; the three hun-
dred inhabitants of Philadelphia have gone to their rest."

Franklin place alluded to above extends from Chestnut north
to Market, and between Third and Fourth streets. It was so
called from its having been the residence of Dr. Franklin, whose
house in my father's time stood at the head of and across the
court, which latter then only extended perhaps midway between
Market and Chestnut. It was taken down, and the present
street cut through to Chestnut street. The court was entered
through the arched way on Market street. (See Vol. I. p. 206,
for Mrs. Franklin's description of this house and its furniture.
See also p. 434 of Vol. I.)

Something like a similar excitement, etc., p. 363. — These ad-
dresses of Marvell and these facts relate to 1773, I think, and
not to 1749; they are in the Philadelphia Library — handbills
put into a file of newspapers. (Vol. 992 F.)

In 1693, on the 8th of August, Councils, discussing the regu-
lations of the market, put it to vote " whether the markett should
remain in the place where it now stands, on the west side of Del-
aware Front street, within the High street," or " held at Market
hill, in Delaware Front street," or " be placed where the Second
street crosses the High street." The two former were negatived,
and the latter carried in the affirmative, and it was resolved "the
markett and stalls be for the present removed to Market hill,"
and remain there only till the place at Second and High streets
"be staked outt for the markett-place, and till a bell-house be
built and erected, and the bell hung in the said place." The
markets were to be held on two days — Wednesdays and Satur-
days ; all sorts of provisions, etc. were to be sold there, and
there only ; the market was to be opened by ringing of the bell
from April to September between six and seven, and from Sej)-
tember to April from eight to nine ; no provisions were to be
sold before those hours, or cheapened on their way to market;
and no hucksters to buy until two hours after ringing of the
bell.

Dr. James Mease, in his Pictwe of Philadelphia states that the
first markets were held at the corner of Front and High (or
Market) streets, and that a bell hung on the shed was rung when
any one brought provisions there from the country for sale. The
earliest notice we have of them in the minutes of the Common

184 Annals of Philadelphia.

Council of this city is dated December, 1704, when "Alderman
John Jones and Edward Smout were appointed collectors of" rent
for stalls and standings in the market." From this time we
have various incidental notices of them, such as of charges for
repairs, trouble in collecting dues, etc., until November 22, 1708,
it was "ordered that a new market-house be built where the
stalls now stand, by this corj)oration, to be let out by the cor-
])oration for y'' use and benefit thereof." It was easy to make
this resolution, but how was the money to be raised ? The old
corporation had no power to lay taxes. After due consideration
of the knotty question, it was voted, eight months after, that the
members of the corporation should advance the money, and that
"the seven aldermen shall contribute and pay double what the
Common Councilmen should do." Ten months after this it was
voted that " the members of this board have now unanimously
agreed that a new market-house shall be built with all ex-
pedition." Was it opposition to the stalls then which hindered
their movements so much ? It was agreed that the sums ad-
vanced, which were ordered to be paid in within ten days, " one
half in money and the other half in goods," should be repaid
with interest out of the rents of the stalls, "share and share
alike." Other inhabitants of the city, not members of the Coun-
cil, were invited to contribute on the same terms. The minutes
do not show wJien these buildings were erected.

Dr. INIease says the first market house on High street was a range
of wooden stalls from Front to Second. But the prison (which
was several times presented as a nuisance, and finally removed
as such in 1722) occupied some part of this site. Mr. A\'atson
says this market was from the old court-house in Market street,
west side of Second, halfway up to Third. But this does not
seem to accord with what follows. In November, 1718, it
appeared that " Divers psons Renters of Markett Stalls Let out
the same at three or ffour or ffive times more Rent than they
pay ;" and consequently, the want of additional accommodations
being evident, a committee of Councils was apj)ointed to prepare
a scheme for new markets. It was at length agreed, July 4,
1720, that "the building be the width of the court-liouse, in
height ten ffoot to the joice, the length of the stalls joining to be
eighteen ffoot, to have an alley of flbur ffoot betwixt them and
the next two stalls. The shelter at the back of the stalls three
ffoot and a half on the outside, the Breadth of the stall three
ffoot and a half within, the clear Walk Ifourteen ffoot, and the
stalls to be eight ffoot Distance from the court-house, but the
Roof to join to the court-house. That the whole be paved with
Brick at the Heighth of the court-house ffioor in the Middle,
and to be posted without on both sides." Four aldermen, An-
thony Morris, Jonathan Dickinson, Isaac Norris, and James
Logan, offered at this time to advance £100 each for building

Market-Houses. 185

forty-eight new stalls. Six months were spent in discussion,
when Alderman Redman contracted to build thirty stalls for
£400. The money advanced, with interest, was agreed to be
repaid in four annual payments of £29 in 1722, £31 in 1723
and 1724, and £33 in 1725. In 1722 the old stalls to the west
of the new ones were ordered to be taken down. (Were these
the ones built in 1710?) In 1729 twenty new stalls were
agreed to be erected east of Second street, " for the accom-
modation of such as bring provisions from Jerseys, as well as our
own Inhabitants having occasion to buy." Several private per-
sons having put up stalls, which they rented at a considerable
profit, to the east of the court-house, it was resolved, in 1736, by
the Councils, that the city corporation ought to have the ad-
vantage of all such arrangements. It being reported to them
that to erect stalls in front of the court-house, paving the same,
setting posts, making new movable stalls, and covering them with
painted canvas, would cost two hundred pounds, it was ordered
that the two stalls in front of the court-house be built at once.
The rest lay over four years, when it was determined to have the
stalls as far down as Letitia court, and the street was ordered to
be posted and gravelled the breadth of twenty feet. Since " the
winter season was so far advanced (October 13th), the same
could not be ])aved." In 1742 chains were ordered to be set up
on market-days, between sunrise and ten o'clock in summer,
eleven in Avinter, to prevent the passage of carts and carriages
through the market-place. The stalls last mentioned were, in
1743, leased to John Bard for seven years, at £60 per annum.

About 1745 the population of the southern part of the city,
finding the High street markets inconveniently distant, and
having to cross Dock Creek, petitioned to have market-houses
built in that section. Second street being too narrow, the Pro-
prietaries granted three lots and the owners of adjacent lands
granted seven more ; thus the land being vacated, Second street
was widened, and the market-houses were built by Edward Ship-
pen and Joseph Wharton advancing the money for building six-
teen stalls, eight north and eight south of Lombard street. The
amount was to be repaid them, principal and interest, less the
amount received for rent of said stalls. But no report was made
of their being repaid.

In 1759 (not 1749, as stated in Watson, Vol. I. p. 363) the
market-house on High street was extended to Third street.
Four years later, it being understood that the stalls in the Jersey
market-house were in a ruinous condition, it was resolved to
build instead of them a market-house with brick pillars, extend-
ing from forty feet east of Second street to near Front, at which
end a green market and exchange were to be put up. The plan
of building an exchange was, however, not carried out at that
time.

16*

186 Annals of Philadelphia.

In 1768 the sixty-six stalls west of the court-house rented for
66s. each, j)ro(lucing £198, and east of the court-house twenty-
six at 80s. and twenty at 60s., netting £164.

In 1773, a committee of Assembly was appointed to meet with
the city corporation in reference to the urgent need of new market
accommodation, and the Assembly considering the want a public
grievance, it was resoh'ed by the corporation to set up another
market at once at their own exj)ense. This time money was more
abundant than before, so that the principal thing to consider was
where the market should be placed. It was decided by a great
majority of the Council that it should be placed in Market street,
between Third and Fourth. But though the Council had so
little difficulty in coming to this determination, the people were
not to be satisfied so easily. On the very day that the plan for
the buildings was laid before the Council a remonstrance was pre-
sented from some of those residing in the neighborhood of the
proposed site, complaining that a market in that place would be
an additional encumbrance to the street, and would greatly in-
commode them. They requested at the same time that another
more suitable place might be chosen. Yet this was not all, for
at the same time a counter-memorial was presented from many
citizens, chiefly residing " in the upper end of Market street,*"
urging the proposed measure. The Council were now in a
dilemma, but, after serious consideration, it was resolved "that
the board was satisfied of their right to build the said market in
the middle of the street called High street, leaving a proper
space on each side for the passage of carriages." The next
resolve, to proceed in their operations, followed as a matter of
course. A few days later a request was made by residents of
Market street that the board would delay for a short time, and
" consent to the entering an amicable suit at law to trv the right
of the corporation to erect those stalls." The petitioners declared
that they had consulted able counsel respecting the measure, "who
have given to us their opinion that the mayor and commonalty
have no legal right to erect stalls in any of the streets of the city."
The rejection of the petition and the preparation for commencing
work gave the signal for open yet orderly opj)osition. Michael
Hillegas, whose manuscript memoranda on certain interesting
broadsides and pamj^hlets bearing on the subject are preserved in
the Philadelphia Library, informs us that at four o'clock on the
morning of the 15th of June some of the residents of Market
street between Third and Fourth began to haul away stones pre-
j)ared for the foundations of the market-house piUars, and de-
])osited them in a vacant lot, the mayor and some of the aUlermen
being ])resent, endeavoring to jM'ovent ; at ti\e same time the work-
men were taking up and removing the paving-stones of the street.
No blows were struck on either side. On the 17th the people
took awav the lime and destroved the lime-house. The buildincj

Market- Houses. 187

committee was thereupon ordered, on the 22d, to desist from the
work, but on the 24th it was again resolved to proceed with it.
But on the 29th an address of certain Friends was presented,
requesting the Council that they would, for the present, suspend
the carrying into execution their resolution of building an addi-
tional number of stalls to the market in High street, representing
that the minds of the people were much agitated, and tiiat such
a suspension would be the means of restoring peace to tiie city.
It was accordingly agreed to stoj) the work. A proposal was
made in one of the papers of tiie day that the mdrket, which all
admitted was needed, should be erected in the centre of the square
between Third and Fourth and Market and Chestnut, the build-
ing's running-, east and west, and leaving; the lots fronting; on Mar-
ket and Chestnut sufficiently deep and increased in value by the
double frontage thus given. How similar the plan executed ou
the adjacent square in 1859 !

During the Revolution, while the British occupied the city,
the market-houses were made into stables for the cavalry horses.

In 1786 an act of Assembly was obtained giving the wardens
of the city power to extend the markets from Third to Fourth
street, and farther from time to time as was required — stating,
also, that " custom and long usage have fixed High street as the
most eligible and central ])lace for the market-place to be con-
tinued." There seems to have been no opposition now, partly
perhaps because the people had a voice in the measure, while
under the old city charter the mayor and Council M'ere a close
corporation and irresponsible to the people. In 1810 the sheds
were continued to Sixth street, and finally market-houses were
continued on to Eighth street ; from there to the present Fifteenth
street, then called Schuylkill Eighth street, the farmers stood
with their wagons at the street-curb and on the })avements
around Centre Square at Broad street. From Fifteenth to
Seventeenth street was another series of market-houses ; these
M^ere demolished in April, 1859. Those at the lower part of
Market street, from Third to Eighth street, were built of brick
pillars with Avooden crosspieces, on which were hooks for hang-
ing meats, etc. One of Birch's views gives an excellent repre-
sentation of them. These gave way in later years to those of a
more elegant and lighter pattern made of iron. These, again,
were finally ordered to be taken dowii, after a long and bitter
controversy among the citizens. In 1859 the subject of the en-
tire removal of the markets from Market street, to make room
for business, was warmly agitated for some time. Memorials pro
and con. were sent to Councils, and a long report Avas made by a
S})ecial committee recommending the measure, accompanied by an
ordinance on which final action in Select Council was postponed
till October. The stalls from Front to Eighth street were com-
menced to be removed November 25th, 1859. The principal

188 Annak of Philadelphia.

"power behind the tlirone " was the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, which wanted it as an avenue to the Delaware River,
and they ran their tracks alongside of the market-houses and
turned down Third street, then vi/i Dock street to the river.
About 1851-52 the Pennsylvania Railroad was completed to the
Market street bridge, and the railroad west of Broad street was
established, and the freight-cars stopj)ed running down Dock
street. They had their principal ddpot for freight at Thirteenth
and Market streets until 1874, when, the city having decided to
erect the Public Buildings on Centre Squares, at the intersection
of Broad and Market streets, the railroad-tracks were taken up
below Fifteenth street, and the freight depot removed to the
square between Fifteenth and Sixteentii streets, and the old d6p6t
sold in 1875 to John Wanamaker, who altered it in 1876 into a
mammoth sho]) for clothing and dry goods and articles of aj>parel.
The style of market-houses formerly on Market street may be
yet seen in those belonging to the city on Second street, Callow-
hill street, Spring Garden street, Girard avenue, Bainbridge
street, and Moyamensing avenue. The plan of large and sepa-
rate buildings for market-houses, suggested by Faneuil Hall in
Boston, was first started here in 1851, when those on Broad
street below Race, now the City Armory, and on Race, corner of
Juniper street, now the head-quarters of the Fire Department,
were erected. Not being in convenient places for the people,
they were unsuccessful, but others were erected in 1859 upon the
prospect of the old market-sheds being torn down. Being under
the management of individual corporations, most of the members
are farmers, ensuring a success by occupying the stalls and stock-
ing the market. Among these were — the Western, north-east
corner of Sixteenth and Market streets, under charge of the
Butchers' Association, who afterward sold their building to the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company and moved higher up, between
Sixteenth and Seventeenth streets; their house was opened Aj)ril
19, 1859; the Eastern, south-east corner of Fifth and Merchant
streets, below Market, opened November 26, 1859 ; the Farmers',
north side of Market, between Eleventh and Twelfth ; the Frank-
lin, at the corner of Twelfth street, adjoining the above; this was
originally built in Tenth street below Market, on ground till
then occ;u{)ied by old frame buildings; at their opening they sent
some fine beef to Rev. Dr. Ducachet, pastor of St. Stephen's
Church, oj)posite, who caused the chimes to be rung; they after-
ward sold the building to the Mercinitile Library Company ;
the South-western, soutii-east corner of Nineteenth and Market
streets. Besides these there are numerous others, and all main-
tain the unexcelled reputation of Philadelphia for its markets.
The superior neatness and convenience of display over the old
style of farmers' wagons is alone a sufficient recommendation. I
have seen the farmers dug out after a severe snow-storm ; many

Arch Street Bridge — Benezet. 189

of them would sleep over-night in their wagons, and the snow
would drift and overwhelm them so much as to necessitate their
either digging out or being dug out of the deep snow in the morn-
ing. Now, comparatively few come to the city in their wagons,
special trains on the railroads bringing their produce and carrying
back the empty vessels.

TJie Arch Street Bridge, p. 364. — The following extracts will
perhaps more clearly prove the nature of the arch which gave the
name to the street, and its early origin, as it seems to have been
first proposed in 1685 :

'' The petition of Benjamin Chambers, Thomas Peart, and
Francis Rawle was read, requesting for themselves and others
that a Bridge might be built over, and a icharf made against
Mulberry street. Resolved, that when the Petitioners shall
bring in their proposals, they shall have a hearing." (Col. Bees.,
vol. i. p. 330, 8th 2d mo., 1690.)

9th 2d mo., 1690: "Benjamin Chambers and Francis Rawle,
according to the answer to their petition, brought in their
methods (viz.) : Mulberry street being not less than 60 feet in
breadth in the midst of the same, and about twenty perches back
from the River, we intend to cut out a cart road of 20 feet in
breadth, from thence to extend with a gradual descent to low-
water mark, and to have the said passage paved and walled up
with stones on both sides, and to have a bridge over the said
passage in the midst of the front street, and that part which re-
mains uncovered to be fenced with rails; and at the river-end of
the said passage, to make a free and public vharf of 20 foot in
breadth on each side thereof; whereunto the Council did assent."
{Ibid., p. 330.)

The arch in Arch street was pulled down in 1720, and caused
much excitement.

Benezet'' s House, p. 371. — See Sunday Dispatch of September
26, 1858.

Anthony Benezet was a Frenchman, but he knew very little
of his native country. He was born at St. Quentin, France, in
January, 1713, of opulent parents, but his father, being a Prot-
estant, was forced to leave France, and his estate was confiscated
in 1715. Anthony, then but two years of age, was taken to Eng-
land, where he was educated. At fourteen years of age he be-
came a member of the Society of Friends, and he came to Phil-
adeljihia with his parents when but nineteen years of age. His
efforts in behalf of the negroes commenced about 1750. In
1763 he interested himself in favor of the Indians and against
the wrongs inflicted upon them. He died at Piiiladel])hia, May
5, 1784, aged seventy-one years. Benezet, by his labors, became
celebrated far beyond the limits of his own country. Eminent
men on both sides of the Atlantic corresponded Avith him, and

190 Annals of Philadelphia.

by his efforts he justified the title of philanthropist which nvos
awarded him.

Clarke's Hall, etc., p. 374.— May 8, 1707, "Ordered that
Samuel Carpenter desire of Wm. Clark tlie use of his two large
Rooms, being the most convenient for that purjwse." (Trial of
Secry. Logan : C'oL Rees., vol. ii. 364.)

May 12, 1707, *' The Council, according to appointment, met
first at the usual place, the secretary's office, and then adjourned
to Wm. Clark's House, being prepared for tiie purpose.'^ [Ibid.,
p. 365.)

THE ARCADE.

TJie Present Marble Arcade, p. 376. — This is an allusion to a
building which must yet be remembered by many. It was built
upon the site formerly occupied by Carpenter's mansion and
grounds, known to some now living as the "Tilghman mansion."
Joshua Carjjenter bought the ground from Sixth to Seventh street
September 27, 1701, and a lot on High street bounded east by
Robert Turner's lot and south by a part of his Chestnut street
lot. He died in 1722. North of this lot a street was laid out
called Carpenter street (now Jayne street), and extending north
from this street to High street was Turner's alley (now Decatur
street.) The Arcade was projected by Peter A. Browne, and
from the start was a failure; it was erected in 1826-27,*and fin-
ished in 1828. It was a two-storied building, and stood on Chest-
nut above Sixth, on the north side, and extended through to the
present Jayne street, with a rear fi)9ade similar to the front open-
ing on Decatur street, and thus through to Market street. Both
fronts were of marble, leading by several steps to two avenues
of stores ; each avenue was paved with marble, and, being open
at each end and enclosed above with a glass roof, the arcades were
attractive. The centre portion consisted of stores with two fronts
— one on each arcade — so that as the visitor passed through he
had a store on either hand; and as tliey were thoroughly glazed
and the goods well displayed in the shops, it was at one time a
bustling i)Iace. Uj) stairs was a similar arrangement reached by
flights of stej)s at each end of the central portion, and galleries
all round from which to enter the shops. As the shops were
small, and after a time became out of the walks of fashion and
convenience, they degenerated into shoj)S of very petty trades-
men, and became unprofitable to both tenants and landlord.
Various places of amusement occupied tlie upj)er portion of the
central building; among the most noted was Charles Wilson
Peale's ^Museum, which was removed from the State House in
1828-29, and remained there for many years. The Ledger first

Tlie Arcade. 191

opened its office tliere in 1836. Many remember the lottery
drawings on Saturday afternoons about the year 1827-28.
What crowds would be collected on those occasions! The
building was finally sold, and Dr. David Jayne tore it down,
and in 1860 erected three fine white marble-front stores upon
the site.

Probably no square in the city has changed more than this
one from Sixth to Seventh street. On the northern side stood
the Chestnut Street Theatre, its site now occupied by Kockhill
& Wilson's and the Bulletin building; and next to that Harmer's
Hotel, its site occupied by two brick stores built by Dr. Jayne,
was long a noted eating-place and political resort ; then the Ar-
cade; then the Columbia House. On the opposite side, at the
corner of Seventh, stood a mansion where now stand Dr. Swaira's
fine stores ; next below was Harrison's mansion ; then Jones's
Hotel, long the most fashionable hotel and principal resort for
Southerners ; it was purchased by George W. Simons and altered
into an artisan buildino- • and below that the old buildino: of the
American Sunday-School Union, now occupied by the German
Democrat building ; and there were other famous shops between
these and Sixth street, the sites of which are occupied by the
elegant buildings of the Ledger establishment, erected by A. J.
Drexel, Esq., and opened June 20, 1867. The south-west cor-
ner of Chestnut and Sixth was Durand's drug store. Then
came on Sixth street a store occupied at one time by Hope &
Co., tobacconists, and subsequently by Thomas B. Florence,
hatter. ^ Then came Alderman John Biuns's office, which in
1841 was at No. 36. His house, we should think, was about
where Mr. George W. Childs's private office is now. The next
house would have been No. 38 — which was an office — then No.
40 and then No. 42, which was probably about where the offset
of Yates' Chestnut street store opens on Sixth street. No. 42
was what is called a " three-quarter house," and was inhabited
about the year 1815 by Mr. Hall of the firm of Brown & Hall,
the latter the father of the Kev. John Hall, at present living in
Trenton. City Directories for 1807 and 1808 show that John
Welsh, merchant, lived at No. 42 South Sixth street, which was
a little below the corner of Chestnut. It was more than a quar-
ter of a square from the corner. Here the late William Welsh
was born.

Doctor Grceme, p. 376.— See Vol. II. p. 375.

Carpenter^s Mansion, p. 376. — Fountain Low was also a name
given to this place.

192 Annals of Philadelphia.

GR.^ME PARK.

CrTceme Park (p. 316), originally a tract of twelve hundred
acres, appears to have been given by patent from commissioners
May 26, 1706, to Samuel Carpenter, and conveyed by Hannah
Carpenter as executrix Feb. 3, 1718. {Patent Book A, vol. vi.

P- 40.)

Sir William Keith built the fine large house, still standing, in
Graeme Park, at Horsham, Montgomery county, in 1722. Dr.
Thomas Grrerae came to America with Sir AVilliam, Lady Keith,
and her daughter Ann Diggs by a former husband, Robert Diggs.
Dr. Grajme married Miss Diggs in 1719 in Christ Church. Dr.
Graeme was a man of very pleasing manners and a very popular
physician. He was a member of Council, port physician, judge
of the Supreme Court, surgeon at the Pennsylvania Hospital,
and collector of the port. He lived in the house built by Joshua
Carpenter. Besides Mrs. Ferguson, he had another daughter,
Jane, who married James Young and had three children, one of
whom married Dr. William Smith.

Sir William Keith went to England in 1728, where he pub-
lished An Account of the North American Colonies. He never
returned to America, and died in the Old Bailey in London
Nov. 18, 1749. Lady Keith lived retired in PhikKlelphia until
her death July 31, 1740, at the age of sixty-five, and was buried
in Christ Church burying-ground. Sir William in his Account
spoke highly of the prosperity of the colonies, suggesting a plan
of taxation for their defence against the French and Indians — a
plan which probably led to the one against which the Revolution
was fought.

Grseme Park House, still standing in 1855, was the object of
an excursion made by my father and other members of the His-
torical Society. The house is on the farm occupied by ]\lr.
Penrose, about six miles from Gwynedd Station on the Xorth
Pennsylvania Railroad, and on County-line road between Mont-
gomery and Bucks, about three miles from Hart's Corner. It is
a two-story stone double house, sixty feet by twenty-five feet,
rooms wainscoted ; an iron chimney-back in the south room sec-
ond story has a date of 1728 on it ; very heavy banisters, and
stairs of oak ; rooms not very large, but finely finished, with
ceiling mouldings, etc. It has been a very fine house in its day.
It was used by General Lacey as head-quarters during the Revo-
lution. It was uninhabited in 1855, except by a miserable in-
sane old woman, who could not speak intelligibly, and who
locked herself in an upper corner room, and went to Mr. Pen-
rose's house for her victuals. In front of the house are two very
large trees — one on each side of the gate leading to the front door;
the back of the house appears toward Mr. Penrose's. There is

Christ Church. 193

between tliem a considerable pond fed by the spring which emp-
ties into Park Run. The park is about one-fourth of a mile
from the house, and is now a pretty piece of woods.

The United States Hotel, which was vis-d-vis the Bank of the
United States, p. 377, was pulled down in 1856 to make room for
the present granite building of the Philadelpiiia Bank, which cor-
poration bought it from the Bank of Pennsylvania at its failure,
and finished it.

The Tilghman Mansion, p. 377. — The old mansion of the late
Chief-Justice Tilghman, which stood on the site of the late Ar-
cade building, was an old-fashioned, double two-story house,
looking very antiquated, with a low brick wall, a wooden paling
on the top, and an entrance in the centre. It stood back from
the street about fifty feet, with a lawn in front. After Judge
Tilghman bouffht it he built a fine addition in front of the old
house about the year 1809. It was a conspicuous ornament to
Chestnut street. It was taken down to make way for the Arcade
in 1826. Judge Tilghman moved into Walnut street above
Ninth, where he died in the spring of 1827, and lies buried in
Christ Church graveyard at Fifth and Arch streets. John
Welsh, father of the minister to England, and other well-known
merchants and lawyers of that day, lived in Sixth street below
Chestnut.

William Tilghman was the chief-justice of Pennsylvania and
president of the Athenseum at the time of his death, April 30th,
1827, having for more than twenty years presided over the ad-
ministration of justice with a measure of wisdom and learning,
purity of purpose and dignity of demeanor, talents, taste, and
temper, M'hich have seldom been united in one individual. Ap-
pointed to office without application from any quarter, his judi-
cial ermine was as unblemished as his judicial life was fruitful
of blessings and benefits for his profession and the Common-
wealth. Soundness and steadiness of decision, integrity and im-
partiality, the gentle demeanor of a man of education and refine-
ment, a deep conviction of the solemn importance of his official
duties, — these were the characteristics of that eminent magistrate.

CHRIST CHURCH.

Christ Church, p. 379. — (See the History of Christ Church, by
Rev. Dr. Dorr, printed in 1841.)

Humphreys, on p. 146 of his History of the Society for Prop-
agating the Gospel in Foreign Farts, says: "The English had no
minister till 1700, when Rev. Mr. Evans was sent over to Phil-
adelphia by Bishop Compton." But probably the Rev. Mr.
Clayton was the first minister — or rather missionary — sent out by
Vol. III.— N 17

194 Annals of Philadelphia.

the society — or before it Avas established, as it was not established
till 1700 — as it is a settled fact that the first building of wood
and brick was built in 1695-97, when the parish was organized,
twelve years after the laying out of the city by Pcnn and during
the reign of William III. It M'as enlarged in 1711 and in 1720.

Dr. Sprague, in vol. v. of his Annals of the American Pidpit,
p. 22, article " Evan Evans," says : " He was probably sent to
Philadelphia by Bishop Compton." " On his arrival he found
that a church had been built there in the year 1695, and had
then a congregation of about fifty, who were said to have left the
Quakers under the preaching of George Keith, Avho also had
separated from them a few years before. About a year after the
church was built the Rev. Mr. Clayton, through the influence of
the Rev. Dr. Bray, who was about that time made the bishop of
London's commissary for Maryland, was sent over to minister
there. In about two years, under Mr. Clayton's ministry, the
congregation increased to seven hundred, and just at that time he
was called away by death." He died in 1699 at Sassafras, Md.
He was succeeded by E,ev. Evan Evans in 1700 ; who officiated.
with the omission of several years, until 1718, when he removed
to Maryland. While on a visit to, and officiating in, Christ
Church, he had an apoplectic fit in the pulpit, and died the fol-
lowing Wednesday. He had been assisted by Mr. Talbot and
Rev. John Hughes at various times, and by Rev. Dr. Rudinan,
formerly of Swedes' Church, until his death in 1708.

After Dr. Evans's death the pulpit was filled at different times
by Rev. Messrs. Talbot, Humphrey, Ross, Sandel, and by Rev.
Thomas Hughes of Virginia from September, 1718, until the
arrival of Rev. John Vicary in September, 1719, who was sent
out by the bishop of London. Ill-health caused him to relin-
quish the pulpit in 1722. It was then occasionally filled by
Rev. Mr. Weyman until 1723, and by Rev. John Urmston. The
bishop of London not having sent any one to minister, the church
called Rev. Dr. Richard Welton in July, 1724, who officiated
until his departure to Portugal in January, 1726. The pulpit
was filled by Rev. Robert Weyman, Rev. Jonas Lidman, and
Rev, Mr. Holbrook until the arrival of Rev. Archibald Cum-
mings in Se{)teniber, 1726. He was sent out by the bishoj), and
was active and successful. Under his pa.storate, the next year
was commenced an addition of thirty-three feet to the west end
and the foundation for a steeple. In September, 1728, it Avas
resolved to buy an organ, imported by Lodowick Sprogell, for
two hundred pounds. This one was superseded in 1766 by a
new one at a cost of five hundred pounds, built in this city by
AVilliam Firing; this served for seventy years, or until 1837,
when a very fine instrument with sixteen hundred pi]ies, built
by Henry Erben of New York, was placed there.

In 1735, Rev. Richard Peters came from London. He had

Christ Church. 195

studied law for seven years in the Temple, and two years of the
civil law. But "his honesty and candor" made the law un-
j)leasant to him, and induced him to assume the clergyman's
gown. He had been unfortunate in his first marriage at the
early age of fourteen, and had left his first wife, who Avas un-
worthy of him. Upon her supposed decease he had married
again, but, hearing that she was still living, he left for this
country. He assisted Rev. Mr. Cummings for six months, but
on account of disagreements he resigned in May, 1736. He be-
came secretary of the governor's Council, and was employed in
several offices of trust under the Proprietaries, He is alluded to
several times in this work as Secretary Peters. In September,
1762, he resigned his civil offices and again became rector of
Christ Church, and so continued until his resignation in 1775,
He died July 10th, 1776.

Rev. Archibald Cummings died in April, 1741, and was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Eneas Ross, who had been invited by the church
to officiate. He gave such satisfaction that the vestry requested
the bishop of London to send him a license. In the mean while
the bishop had licensed Rev. Robert Jennings of Hempstead,
N. Y., who, hearing of the favor with which Mr. Ross was held,
declined to accept, but finally did, with Mr. Ross as assistant;
the latter remained until July, 1743. In 1747, Rev. William
Sturgeon was made an assistant for teaching the negroes and as
catechist.

Jacob Dnche was licensed in 1759, and became assistant min-
ister under Dr. Jennings, finally hciving charge of St. Peter's
Church when Richard Peters was again rector of Christ Church,
and whom he succeeded in 1775. He opened the Continental
Congress in 1774 with a remarkable prayer, and was appointed
chaplain to Congress July 9th, 1776 ; which position he resigned
in about three months. On the occupation of the city by the
British in September, 1777, he showed his Tory proclivities, and
wrote a letter in October to Washington urging him to give
up the cause; which angered the general exceedingly. Before
the evacuation he went to England ; his house was confiscated
and sold to Thomas McKean, afterward chief-justice. On his
return after the peace he received no employment, and died Jan-
uary 3, 1798. His wife died a year before him ; she was sister
to Francis Hopkinson.

Rev. Thomas Coombe had charge of the churches during the
occupation of the citv bv the British, and went to England
in 1778.

Rev. William White, who had been ajipointed assistant min-
ister in November, 1772, was made rector in 1779, and so re-
mained until his death, July 17, 1836, in his eighty-ninth year
— a service of sixty-five years. He was a firm jiatriot, and was
chaplain of Congress during the Revolution, and afterward of

196 Annals of Philadelphia.

the United States Senate. He was consecrated as bishop of
Pennsylvania at the same time as Rev. Samuel Provoost ";as
consecrated bishop of New York — in Enghind, Feb. 4, 1787, by
the archi)ishops of Canterbury and York. Bishop White's only
sister, Mary, married Robert Morris. Rev. John Waller James
succeeded him, but died in four weeks. Dr. Benjamin Dorr was
elected in 1837, and officiated thirty-two years, until his death,
September 18, 1869. Rev. E. A. Foggo, the present rector, suc-
ceeded him.

The present church was commenced in 1727, and was nine
yeai-s in being completed. It Avas built of brick, some of which
were brought from the old country. Franklin Avas one of the
managers of the lottery in 1753 for raising funds for the steeple
and bells.

Dr. Kearsley assumed the superintendence of the architecture
of the church. The corner-stone was laid April 27, 1727, and
the alterations Avere completed by July, 1737, and it AA^as deter-
mined to remoA'e the eastern Avooden end. Subscriptions came
in slowly, but a determined effort AA-as made in 1739, and the
names of two hundred subscribers AA'ere obtained Avith A^arious
efforts, and after moA'ing the pulpit tAvice, enlarging the gallery,
altering the seats, and hanging the chandelier of twenty-four
branches, the body of the church Avas completed in 1744. The
accounts of Dr. Kearsley were audited, a balance paid him, and
a vote of thanks and a piece of plate of the value of forty pounds
ordered for him as a lasting memorial of his services in rebuild-
ing and ornamenting the church. The toAA^er and steeple AA'ere
completed in 1753-54, and a chime of eight bells, costing five
hundred pounds, was imported.

Upon the eastern end, above the great arched Avindow, at the
time of the RcA'olution Avas a profile bust in relief of George
II., carved in wood, and on the steeple a croAvn. The Eng-
lish arms had also been placed OA'er the governor's pew in colo-
nial days. These remained in place until after peace was de-
clared, when an excited state of public feeling compelled their
remoA'al. They are now to be seen in the vestry-room. The
figure-head of the king and the crown became the ])roperty of
the Library Company of Philadelphia. The date of these being
taken down, and Avhether it Avas exactly at the behest of ex-
cited citizens, are not quite certain. If Ct)bbett (who lived op-
posite Christ Church) is to be belicA'cd, the figure-head of the
king, in a mutilated condition, Avas in front of the church as late
as 1796. "Peter Porcupine" (William Cobbett) published in
the *S'carec?'Ow; for 1796 tiie following: "To return to the print
indicative of British proAvess, have I not as good a right to ex-
hibit a proof of this proAvess at my Avindow as the Democrats
haA'e to exhibit proofs of theirs on the front of the church op-
posite? The half-destroyed bust of George II. remains as a

Christ Church. 197

monument of their valor, and why should I not be permitted to
expose a picture to perpetuate the valor of Earl Howe and his
gallant fleet?" In 1794 the retention of the medallion portrait
of George II. upon the eastern front of Christ Church was com-
plained of in Bache's paper. There was published an address to
the vestry, stating that if they would not take down the head it
would be taken down for them. A week or two afterward a
regular address to the vestry was published, in which it was
said in regard to the head : " It has nothing to do with the
worship of the Most High God nor the government under which
we exist. It has a tendency to cause that church to be disliked
whilst bearing the mark of infamy. It has a tendency, to the
knowledge of many, to keep young and virtuous men from at-
tending worship. It is therefore a public nuisauQe." It appears
from Cobbett's reference that the profile still remained in 1796.
The late Thomas Harrison White (a son of Bishop White) in
February, 1857, mentioned that the figure-head of the king was
removed from the front of the church by order of John Wil-
cocks, one of the vestry. It was thrown into the gutter, where
it was found by Zaccheus Collins, and taken to his residence,
directly opposite the church, on Second street, near the dwelling
of William Cobbett. As the vestry had ordered the removal of
this emblem of royalty, Mr, C. did not, of course, offer to return
it to the church ; but, being desirous that the relic should be pre-
served, he gave it to the Library Company of Philadelphia.
There is nothing in Dr. Dorr's History of Christ Church which
sheds any light on the matter.

In the Independent Gazetteer of August 18, 1787, is this an-
ecdote : " On taking down the ceown of Christ Church steeple,
which some time since had been much injured by lightning, one
of the bystanders asked what they were going to do with it. He
was told it was to be repaired and put up immediately. 'I guess,'
says an arch boy, who had been very attentive to the query and
answer, ' they had better wait till the Convention breaks up, and
know first what they recommend.' " After the adjournment of
the Convention it was no doubt considered inexpedient to replace
the crown on the spire, for soon after a mitre was substituted.
The mitre had on it thirteen stars, the number of the original
States, and the inscription, "The llip;ht Rev. William White,
D. D., consecrated bishop of the Episcopal Church of Pennsyl-
vania February 4, 1787."

The size of the church is sixty-one feet in width by ninety feet
in length. The interior was altered in 1836, the year of Bishop
White's death, by removing the old pews, taking down the
sounding-board, etc., according to the plans of Thomas U.
Walter, architect. The sounding-board (which had graced the
chancel since the church was built) was taken down and jn-csent-
ed to a merchant of this city who had his country-seat at Mount

17*

198 Annals of PJdladelphia.

Peace, near Laurel Hill. At Mount Peace this sacred relic (un-
der which Bishop White and Rev. Dr. Duche had so often
preached) was used as a roof for a summer house. Mount
Peace was afterward changed from a country residence to a
cemeterv. The old pulpit of 1770 remains; the prayer-desks
are made from the original high desk, and the old communion-
table is under the ))resent altar. The font, in which Bishop
White, Francis Plopkinson, and a long list of worthies were bap-
tized, was in 1865 brought from the resting-place into Avhich for
over seventy years it had been thrust to give way for a new one
presented in 1789 by Jonathan Gostelowe. The beautiful silver
bowl, weighing over sixty-three ounces, presented in 1712 by
Colonel Robert Quarry of the British army, is still used. The
old chandelier of twenty-four branches, j)urcha'^ed in London
and brought by Captain Seymour in 1744, Avas brought from
the steeple, where it had lain since 1836, was re])aired, and hung
in its old place in 1870. A new chandelier, made by Cornelius
& Co. to match it, was presented by George M. Coates, a mem-
ber of the vestrv, placed in the chancel, and lighted Feb. 4,
1877.

An old liatchment of Robert Smythe, who died in 1808, and
who was formerly chief-justice of Xew Jersey, was probably
borne before the funeral cortege from his residence in Union
street, and placed in the church. Only one other hatchment is
known in this country — that of the Izzard family in South
Carolina.

On the alterations in 1836 the pew in which "Washington sat
Mas presented by the vestry to Independence Hall. It is the
general impression that Washington, during his residence in
Philadelphia, was a regular attendant only at Christ Curch.
But it would seem, from the correspondence between Colonel
Mercer and Bishop White in August, 1835, that General Wash-
ington was also at one time a regular worshipper at St. Peter's
Church, Third and Pine streets. Colonel Mercer had written
to Bishop White (see Rev. Dr. Bird Wilson's Memoir of Bishop
White) asking whether Washington communed in the Episcoj)al
church, etc., etc., during his residence here. Bishop White re-
plied to Colonel Mercer as follows:

"Philadelphia, August 15, 1835.
"Dear Sie: In regard to the subject of your inquiry, truth
requires me to say that General Washington never received the
communion in the churches of Avhich I am parochial minister.
Mrs. Washingtim was an habitual communicant before the gen-
eral left his seat in Congress to take the command of the army.
Afterward, during the war, whenever he was in this city and
since, having rented a house near my other chui-ch (St. Peter's),

Christ Church. 199

he attended there. He was an antipode to those who are in tht

habit of changing the places of their attendance

" Respectfully,

" Your humble servant,

" William White."

Under the floors were buried many distinguished men. The
remains of one of them, Hon. John Penn, a former Proprietary,
were removed to England. Under the schoolhouse on the north
side of the church, in the family vault in the crypt, lie the re-
mains of Bishop White and his brother-in-law, Robert Morris.
Bishop Stevens, in his sermon at the centenary of Bishop White,
celebrated at Christ Church, said : " We are now . to place
all that remains of the once beautiful and venerable form of
William White in this new tomb, built within this chancel.
wherein never man before was laid."

The Bishop was in error as to the remains of Bishop White
being the first interment in the chancel of this venerable sanctu-
ary, the body of General Forbes having been buried there more
than a century ago, as will be seen from this obituary notice,
published in the Pennsylvania Gazette, March 15, 1759: "On
Sunday last died, of a tedious illness, John Forbes, Esq., in the
forty-ninth year of his age, son to Forbes of Pentinaief, Eng-
land, in the shire of Fife, in Scotland, brigadier-general, colonel
of the Seventeenth Regiment of Foot, and commander of His
Majesty's troops in the southern provinces of North America.
Yesterday he was interred in the chancel of Christ Church in
this city." (See Clark's Inscriptions in Burial-grounds of Christ
Church.

In the burying-ground at the south-east corner of Fifth and
Arch streets, purchased in 1719, were buried Franklin and his
wife Deborah ; a portion of the wall was taken down in Sept.
1858, so that the tombstone might be seen from the street;
General James Irvine, Major William Jackson, Rev, Bird
Wilson, Peyton Randolph, president of first Continental Con-
gress, and Francis Hopkinson. In this ground also were
buried the following naval officers: Commodore Bainbridge;
Commodore Truxton, May 5, 1822; Commodore Shaw, Sept.
17, 1823; Commodore Dale, Feb. 24, 1826; his son, Com-
mander Dale, Dec. 15, 1852; Commodore James Biddle, Oct.
5,1848; Captain William M. Hunter, March 5, 1849; Com-
modore Conner, March 25, 1856 ; Commodore Rodgers, date
unknown. The funeral services of Commodore Isaac Hull
were in Christ Church, and his body was placed in a private
vault there for a few weeks, and was then taken to his tomb at
Laurel Hill. The remains of Commodore Conner were also re-
moved to Laurel Hill, and those of Commodore Rodgers to
Washington City.

200 Annals of Philadelphia.

Nicholas Bidclle was burled March 2, 1844, in a vault near
that of his father, Charles Biddle, and his brother the com-
modore.

On the west side of the Arch street ground is the grave of
General Jacob Morgan, who died Sept. 18, 1802. In the same
burial-place are the remains of three of the most eminent phy-
sicians— viz: Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the Signers of the
Declaration of Independence, died April 19, 1813; Dr. Ben-
jamin Smith Barton, died Dec. 19, 1815; and Dr. Philip Syng
Physick, died 1837.

In order to extend Christ Church alley of the same width from
Third to Second streets, the wall at the south side, which left only
a passage of some six or eight feet, was removed in November,
1861, and set back toward the church on a line with the build-
ings on the north side of the alley, the city having purchased
from the church that much ground for nine thousand dollars.
In the space vacated there had been numerous interments, tlie
remains of which have been removed farther inward. Among
these were those of General Charles I^ee, who was buried there
October 4th, 1782. The remains of General Hugh Mercer,
killed at Princeton in 1777, were removed several years before
to Laurel Hill with great ceremony, after having reposed in the
south-west corner of the churchyard for more than sixty years.
The houses which projected beyond the south line of the alley
were also purchased by the city for sixteen thousand dollars,
and were removed in the following year.

P. 382. See Pennsylvania Archives for a letter from Rev. Dr.
Muhlenberg to Rev. R. Peters on the subject of his secular
employment.

P. 382, note. — Dr. John Kearsley died in January, 1772. (See
his obituary in Pennsylvania Packet, January 13th, 1772; also
a sketch by Dr. Dorr at the laying of the cornerstone of the new
hospital over the Schuylkill, November 18, 1856, published in
the Evening Bulletin of November 19th, and afterward in a
pamphlet with Bishop Potter's address and the proceedings.)

Christ Church Hosi)ital belonged to "the United Churches of
Christ Churcii and St. Peter's," which were chartered by the
Penns in 1765. The hosj)ital was founded in 1772 by Dr. John
Kearsley, who left a large portion of his property for founding it,
and was afterward enriched in 1789 by Joseph Dobbins of South
Carolina. He gave five hundred ])ounds and two lots — one on
Fifth street, adjoining the burial-ground, and the other a square
of ground between S])ruce and Pine and Eighteenth and Nine-
teenth streets. The vestry sold the latter, wliich by the growth
of the city brought one hundred and eighty thousand dollai*s
after being vacant for seventy yeai-s, which enabled them to build
the present building. Mr. Dobbins fifteen years after, in 1804,
died, and left all his real and personal estate as an endowment

Christ Church. 201

for the hospital. It is a happy retreat for aged poor females,
who by their sex have been least able to make provision for them-
selves, and who have been brought from plenty to penury. The
widows of clergymen are to have precedence among these. It
originally provifled for five or six, but now supports fifty gentle-
women, and will in time undoulitedl}^ support one hundred and
fifty in the whole edifice provided for them. The present site
of the hospital is a farm of one hundred and forty-two acres west
of Belmont road, about one mile north of George's Hill, west of
the Park. It was begun in 1856, and the inmates were removed
to it from the old building on Cherry street above Third in 1860.
It has a front of two hundred and tliirty-seven feet, and the depth
of the wings is one hundred feet, and it accommodates one hun-
dred persons. There is a chapel attached to it.

The first building occupied was a two-story house given by Dr.
Kearsley on Arch above Third, which was pulled down in 1785,
and a larger one erected. This too becoming too small, and the
funds having increased by the rise in value of the property, a
new one was built in the rear on Cherry street, at a cost of nine-
teen thousand dollars, and opened in March, 1819.

Rev. Thomas Coombe (p. 386) was arrested and committed Sep-
tember 2, 1777, for refusing to sign a parole. No papers were
found on him. His release was requested by the rector and
churchwardens, but refused. It was determined to send him to
Virginia with others; he requested to go there under parole, and
thence to the West Indies ; agreed to ; refused discharge from
parole; declines to take the oath of allegiance and requests to go
to New York, thence to Europe; granted Julv 6, 1778. (See
Col Records, vol. xi. pp. 288, 296, 300, 525, 527 ; and Pennsyl-
vania Archives, vol. v. pp. 575, 600, 603; and vol. vi. p. 626.)

P. 386. Hand-stoves were, however, in use long after this ;
for my father many a time carried his mother's stove for her to
the church corner of Third and Arch streets. These stoves were
wooden boxes, perhaps eight or ten inches square and about as
many high, with holes in the top to allow the heat to escape. An
iron cup or square vessel contained the live coals. On these
stoves the feet rested during service, and kept the whole body
very comfortable.

P. 386. The steeple was repainted and balls regilt in 1849,
the color of the steeple being changed from white to the color of
red sandstone.

A ring of bells, p. 388. — On the 4th of July, after the reading
of the Declaration, the bells of Christ Church rang out a merry
chime, the pastor. Rev. Jacob Duche, becoming, at least for the
time being, a patriot. He subsequently wrote his famous letter
to Washington, in which he states he persisted in using the prayer
for the royal family till the latest moment, though tiireatened
with insults from the violence of a party ; but that on the Declara-

202 Annals of Philadelphia.

tion of Independence, not being aV)le to consult his spiritual supe-
rior, lie called his vestry together and solemnly put the question,
whether they thought it best for the peace and welfare of the
congregations to shut up the churches or to continue the services
without using the petitions for the royal family. The vestry
promptly decided : " The Hon. Continental Congress have re-
solved to declare the American Colonies to be free an<l independ-
ent States: .... it will be proper to omit those petitions."

Heir/ht of the Principal Spires. — The First Baptist Church tower,
Broad and Arch streets, 232 feet; Christ Church, 196 feet 9
inches ; West Spruce Street Presbyterian Church, 265 feet ; the
new white spire at Broad and Arch streets, 240 feet.

P. 390. Friends' Bank meeting-house is laid down on Scull's
map of 1762 as on the west side of Front, a little above Arch
street. The General Assembly held its sessions in the first meet-
ing-house, and afterward in its successor, the Bank Meeting-house,
for twelve years.

The Hill meeting-house, at Front and Pine streets, was dis-
used as a meeting-house in 18 — ; a suit was commenced against
the trustees for diverting it from its original design. It has since
been pulled down, and a row of houses erected on the lot.

The Kevs' alley meeting-house was burned down bv the great
fire, July 9, 1850.

From the following extract from a will it appears there was a
meeting-house at Fourth and Chestnut streets: "15th 8th mo.,
1692 : John Day left for the use of the people called Quakers
being at the corner of Fourth and Chestnut, M'here their meeting-
house now stands — " This is probably the Quaker Academy,
which lot extended to the corner of Fourth and Chestnut, where
Mr. Carey afterward built his bookstore and other houses.

P. 391-2. It will be noticed that Robert Turner figures very
largely in the early history of Philadelphia. He was a merchant
of Dublin, and one of the company that purchased East Jersey in
1681-82 from the estate of Sir George Carteret. As he was an
early friend of Penn, he soon became interested in the new colonv,
and Penn was frequently guided by his advice, as Turner wrote
often to the Pro]irietary in England. He was largely interested
in building up Philadelphia, and was the first to erect a brick
house, the one at the south-west corner of Front and Mulberry
streets. He was a member of the Provincial Council from 1686
to 1694 and in 1700-1. He was one of the commissioners car-
rying on the government in 1687 and 1689. He wa-s also justice
of the peace and commissioner of property. He was an active
])artisan of George Keith, and lost some of his influence by it.
He died in 1701, leaving two daughters. The families of Learn-
ing, Rawle, Pemberton, Coleman, Fisher, and Hollingsworth can
trace back to him.

The London Coffee House. 203

THE LONDON COFFEE HOUSE.

The London Coffee House, p. 393. — The cut is a very good
representation of the building still standing (in 1878) at the
south-west corner of Front and Market streets, the back building
having been built a story higher. Here was the Pennsylvania
Journal " printed and sold by William and Thomas Bradford,"
and " where persons may be supplied with the paper at ten shil-
lings a year, and where advertisements are taken in."

P. 395. (See Pennsylvania Gazette, June 1st, 1749; also Jan-
uary 10, 1748—19 : " Thomas Lloyd, two doors below the Widow
Koberts' Coffee House.")

There is the following notice in the Pennsylvania Evening Post
by B. Town : " The London Coffee House, corner of Market and
Front streets, will be opened this day by E. Smith."

For many years most of the leading events narrated in Watson
took place or culminated at this corner and in this house. Burn-
ing Stamp-Act papers, whenever found, took place here, and the
mariner (Captain Wise) who brought the news of the repeal of
the Stamp Act was feasted and wined amid great excitement.
The effigies of Governor Hutchinson of Massachusetts and Alex-
ander Wedderburn with double face were burnt in effigy in May,
1774, for their insults to Dr. Franklin. The royal arms from
the court-house were publicly burned here after the reading of
the Declaration of Independence by John Nixon. Leigh Hunt's
father was brought here in his coat of tar and feathers and made
to humbly acknowledge his wrong; also on the same day his
sympathizer. Dr. Kearsley, was carted here, and allowed to quaff
a bowl of punch to quench his thirst, caused by great excitement;
he afterward became insane. Here occurred the personal attack by
General Thompson on Justice McKean which led to a challenge,
but which McKean declined as a violation of the laws he was
appointed to maintain.

It is owing to the good taste of its owner, Samuel Croft, that
the building still stands in its original condition. AVhile this
place was styled a coffee-house, and coffee was the princi])al
liquid drunk there, liquors were also sold, and it was really only
a genteel tavern. The capital to build it was raised l)y sub-
scription and loaned to William Bradford — two hundred and
thirty-two persons subscribing thirty shillings each.

William Bradford, in addition to keeping the coffee-house,
was publisher of the Pennsylvania Journal. When his uncle
Andrew came back from New York in 1712, where he had been
with William, the first printer in this country — who was father
of Andrew and grandfather of the William under notice, the
third of the name — he established the Mercwy in 1739-40, and
took his adopted nephew into partnership. Owing to the latter

204 Annals of Philadelphia.

not agreeing with Andrew's second wife, he left his uncle and
W'cnt to England, purchased a stock of books and materials for
printing, and opened a store in Second street between Market
and Chestnut, at the sign of "The Bible," and commenced' the
publication of the Pennsylvania Journal, which became success-
ful. When he opened the coffee-house he removed his business
to the store adjoining on Market street. He joined the volunteer
militia in 1755, was elected captain, and afterward major, and
was active in public matters, particularly about the Stamp Act
and Non-Importation Agreement. He was wounded at Prince-
ton in 1776, and made colonel ; was a member of the Navy
Board and chairman of the committee for arresting inimical per-
sons, and served in resisting the siege of Fort Mifflin. When
the British evacuated the city in 1778 he returned and resumed
the publication of the Journal, and reopened the coffee-house.
He continued the latter only two years, as it did not prove
profitable, the more elegant City Tavern, in Second above W^al-
nut, having attracted the best custom. Its prestige was gone as
a centre for news, auction sales, and public events. Gifford
Dally next rented the place from John Pemberton, who had re-
ceived it from his father by will.

THE STATE HOUSE.

The State House, p. 396. — The Assembly of Pennsylvania,
governing the colony after its settlement by the English, met in
various places, such as the Quaker meeting-house; in Whitpain's,
Carpenter's, and other private houses ; in the school-room of
Thomas Makin, and, after the purchase of the State House lots,
for about five years in a building which was there at the time of
purchase. As the city grew it became evident to the Provincial
government of Pennsylvania that there should be provided a
permanent and commodious building for the sessions held by the
Assembly and for the accommodation of the courts and ])ublic
offices of the colony. It was considerably discussed in 1 707 and
'8, the proposed amount of six hundred and sixteen pounds being
a large amount to raise by tax. The idea was commenced to be
carried out in February, 1729, by the petition of the inhabitants
requesting that the House would build a State House in High
street near the prison, followed by the appropriation on the 10th
of May of two thousand pounds by the Assembly for the build-
ing of a State House, the money to be paid out under the
direction of Thomas Lawrence, Andrew Hamilton, and John
Kearsley. The building of the house was not commenced until
the summer of 1732, owing to a contrariety of opinion among the
members of the building committee, and was completed in 1741,

The State House. 205

though the finishing touches were not given till 1745, but part
of it M'as occupied by the Assembly in October, 1735. The
doorway as at present seen is quite modern, and copied from tht
doorway of the former St. James's Church in Seventh street
above Market.

The ceiling and upper work had to be done, for which com-
petent workmen were scarce. Curtains of some sort, ajiparently
inexpensive, were ordered for the windows ; and a handsome
silver inkstand was made for tlie Speaker's table by Philip Syng,
silversmith, at a cost of £25 16s.

Kearsley had favored the petition of the citizens, who wanted it
near the prison on Market near Third street, in conjunction with
a market, and drew up a plan. Hamilton drew up one, and his
plan and choice of location on Chestnut street were preferred by
a majority of the committee. Kearsley constantly objected, and
finally had nothing to do with its building, and Lawrence,
having full confidence in Hamilton and his superintendence, had
but little to do with it ; so that the structure may be said to have
been built by and under the plans of Andrew Hamilton. The
plan adopted included only the present main or central building,
and was designed to accommodate the Assembly, the Supreme
Court, and the governor's Council.

Andrew Hamilton was a member of the governor's Council
in 1720, and attorney-general of the Province from 1717 to
1726 ; prothonotary of the court and recorder of the city for
fourteen vears, and at the same time a member of the Assembly
from Bucks county, and was the Speaker for ten years; he was
judge of the vice-admiralty court in 1739. He won great fame
by his bold and able defence of John Peter Zenger and the
liberty of the press at his trial in New York in 1735. Zenger
was prosecuted for a libel against the king and the governor, and
his ])aper was ordered to be burnt by the hangman, Zenger was
acquitted, and the city of New York presented Hamilton with
the freedom of the city in a gold box. He resided at Bush Hill,
a property granted him by the Penns. He died August 4th,
1741. A lawyer at the head of his profession, retained in all
important cases, and consulted by the governors, he was able,
fearless, and honest; on the popular side in his feelings, he
maintained the cause of liberty, and helped to make laws whose
benefits we enjoy at this day. He was called by Gouverneur
Morris "the day-star of the American Pevolution." His por-
trait is in the National Museum. Another Anthony Hamilton
was governor of Pennsylvania from 1701 to 1703; he was Col.
Anthony Hamilton, but no relation of this one.

As originally designed and constructed, there was neither tower
nor steeple, nor were arrangements made for the staircase. The
bell originally in service was the one used by the Assembly to call
the members together and as an accompaniment to official prec-
is

206 Annals of Philadelphia.

lamations long before the State House was built. It was prob-
ably brouirlit over by Penn, and was rung as early as 1685 at the
proclamation of the accession of James II. It was hung in a
small belfry erected for the j)urpose in front. This Provincial
bell, or the second one imported from England, was given in
1830, with the original clock, made by Peter Stretch in 1759,
to the Roman Catholic church of St. Augustine in Fourth street
below Vine, and was destroyed while hanging in the cupola, to-
gether with the clock in the tower of that church, at the time the
church was burnt and destroyed in the Native American riots on
the 8th of May, 1844.

In early days " those members who do not appear within half
an hour after the ringing of the bell and the Speaker assuming
the chair shall pay a tenpenny bit," and again, "shall pay one
shilling."

Before the Revolution all distances from Philadelphia were
measured from the old Court House at Second and Market
streets. On Scull & Heap's map of 1750 the description is
thus : " A table of distances of particular places within this
map, beginning at the Court House."

"The Town Hall, or place where the Assemblies are held, is
situated in the western part of the town; it is a fine large build-
ing, having a Tower with a bell in the middle, and is the great-
est ornament to the town. The deputies of each Province meet
in it, commonly every October, .... in order to consider the
welfare of the country and to hold their diets or parliaments in
miniature. There they revise the old laws and make new ones."
"On one side of this building stands the Library, M-hich was
first begun in the year 1742, on a publick-spirited plan formed
and put in execution by the learned Mr. Franklin." ....
"Open everv Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m." (Kalm's Travels,
1748-49, vol. i. p. 45.)

Feb. 20, 1735-36, an act was passed vesting the State House in
trustees. (Col Recs., vol. iv. p. 46; Smith's Laws, i. xxi.) It
was repealed Feb. 17, 1762, by act of that date. (See Smith, i.
p. 242, at length.) See mes.sage from Council to Assembly, al-
luding to above act, Feb. 20, in which the State House, hit not
built on "should remain a public green and walk for ever," an;l
recommending attention to it," September 17, 1783. (Col. Rec-
ords, vol. xiv. 692.)

State House Yard, as originally purchased, extended from
Fifth to Sixth street on Chestnut, and wa-; about three hundred
and thirty-seven feet deep. It consisted of eight lots granted by
Penn in 1683 to private individuals. The Walnut street front
had likewise been granted in 1683, '84, '92, and 1715. The
Chestnut street lots were all purchased by William Allen and
Andrew Hamilton f tr the State House, and the remaining half
by the Province, which appropriated five thousand pounds in

The State House. 207

May, 1762, and the deeds were finally passed in 1769 — not in
1760, as Watson states. A brick wall seven feet high was
erected, with a very high brick arch on Walnut street suj>port-
ing two large solid doors. Though before the Revolution it had
been ordered " to prepare a plan for laying out the Square in
proper walks, and to be planted with suitable trees, etc.,"
nothing was done in the way of improvement, but in Septem-
ber, 1783, President John Dickinson urged the attention of the
Assembly to it. Still, nothing was done until February 28,
1785, when a few trees were planted; and in April Samuel
Vaughan took hold of its improvement. Public walks were
laid out, one hundred elm trees planted, and in 1791 the height
of the wall was reduced on Fifth and Sixth streets to three feet,
with a stone coping and iron railing, and it began to be called
"State House Garden."

See a complete statement of the title to State House Square
by Recorder Joseph Reed, Dec. 1, 1813, made at request of
Councils (in Hazard's Beg. Penna., vol. ii. 228-233), with a
diagram of different purchases. Also title to the North-East
Public Square by Recorder Alexander Wilcox, June 5, 1797
(pp. 232, 234 of same vol.).

In 1752 the superintendents of the State House were directed
to purchase from Mr. Allen his cedar tree lot, lying on Walnut
street south of the State House, for the use of the people of the
Province.

On March 24th, 1733, it was ordered that two additional build-
ings, for the reception of the records and papers of the Province,
should be constructed, forming wings on each side of the main
structure, though at some little distance from it — about thirty
feet, and occupying substantially the same ground as the present
wings. They were of brick, two stories high, much lower in
height than the main building, and of about the same depth,
with quadrangular roofs. The upper story of each, one large
room, was reached by stairs under arched piazzas, oi)eu in front
with a blank wall in the rear, set back from the lines of the
principal buildings, and connecting the wings with the main
building. The eastern wing was built in 1735-36. Its lower
floor was divided into two rooms, occupied by the registrar-gen-
eral, or custodian of original wills, and the recorder of deeds,
who had before kept the books and papers of their offices at
their houses, and objected to the change, considering it a great
hardship. The western wing was finished in 1739. It was
called Provincial Hall. The whole was completed about 1744.
Low Avails covered with shingles extended to Fifth and Sixth
streets and along those streets. The lower floor was used by
the secretary of the Province until 1779 ; the upper floor by
the Philadelphia Library Company, " to deposite their books
in," until 1773, when they were transferred to Carpenters' Hall,

208 Annals of Philadelphia.

just in time for the convenient use of the Congress in the fol-
lowing year. The flags captured during the Revolution were
displayed in this chamber. It and a corresponding chamber
in the eastern wing were used bv the Assemblv and Congress
as committee-rooms. Charles Thomson, the Congressional secre-
tarv, had his private office here. After Congress left the city
this chamber was occupied by the Supreme Court of the State;
in 1786 fitting decorations and partitions were put up. The
wings were altered by the county commissioners in 1813; at
the same time new walls were put up around the Square. The
arcades and staircases were removed, and the present two-story
structures replaced them, and the buildings themselves adjacent
were changed as we now see them. The bases of the clock were
also removed.

On the 27th of January, 1750, the Assembly ordered an ad-
dition " on the south side of the said house, to contain the stair-
case, with a suitable place therein for hanging a bell ;" and the
present tower, finished in 1753, with its noble staircase, is the
result. The tower before this terminated very nearly with the
main roof; a steeple does not seem at first to have been contem-
plated, but was now determined upon. A new room was ordered
to be added by raising the tower one story ; it was designed for
the use of the committees and " for our books." It either proved
inadequate or was too difficult of access, as one of the rooms in
the eastern wing was sometimes used for committee meetings at
least as early as 1761. The library collected for the A&sembly
was placed herein, and Charles Xorris appointed 'Mvceper." A
wooden steeple was erected on the tower, in which was hung the
famous Liberty Bell with its prophetic motto.

In 1781 the woodwork of the steeple was removed on account
of decay, and the tower was covered with a hip-roof, above which
was placed a short sj^ire with a weathercock.

In this statement we correct the error of Watson in Vol. I. p.
399, where he states: "At a former period, say in 1774, ....
it was deemed advisable to take it down." The truth is, few re-
pairs were made to the building from the time of its completion
to the termination of the Revolution ; but in 1771 the steej)le of
wood which surmounted the tower had already excited attention
from its decay; in 1773 a skilful carpenter made a report of it;
the next year the Assembly ordered " that it should be taken
down, and the brick-work cheaply covered to prevent its being
damaged by the weather ;" this order was not carried out. Es-
timates were again made in March, 1775, and it was then pro-
posed to place a cupola upon the front building; but the matter
was " referred to the next sitting of the House." The Conti-
nental Congress met only for a short time afterward within ita
precincts, and the stirring events of the time put aside further
consideration or action until after the Revolution. But in April,

The State House. 209

1781, it had become really dangerous, and was then taken down.
The Liberty Bell and its frame were lowered down and rehung
in the brick tower ; the tower was plainly covered and surmount-
ed by a slender spire or point. On the main roof, in front of the
spire, another bell, called "the clock -bell," was hung under a
shed built over it, as seen in Birch's Views of the State House.

Westcott, in his Oity Guide, says : " The Liberty Bell was
used after the first steeple was taken down only upon particular
occasions. It was rung in honor of the news of the passage of
the act of the British Parliament emancipating the Catholics, in
1828. It was rung on the 22d of February, 1832, in honor of
the centennial anniversary of tlie birth of Washington. It was
cracked upon the morning of July 8th, 1835, whilst being tolled
in memory of Chief-Justice Marshall, who had died in Phila-
delphia on the 6th of that month, and whose remains were being
removed, attended by Councils and many citizens, to the steam-
.boat wliarf, to be transported to their last resting-place in Rich-
mond, Va. The bell thus cracked is believed to have been used
on after occasions, which increased the fracture. It became
hopelessly useless after having been tried upon the celebration
of Washington's birthday, February 22, 1843. At the time
when the convention of delegates from the thirteen original
States was held for the purpose of concerting measures for the
erection of a monument in Independence Square to commemorate
the Declaration of Independence, the bell was removed from its
framework in the tower and placed upon a temporary ])edestal in
Independence Hall. Afterward a handsome wooden pedestal,
with emblematic carvings and decorations, was prepared, upon
which the bell was placed, and so remained until 1873, when the
National Museum was fitted up in the west room, first story,
which immediately before that time had been occupied by the
Common Pleas Court." Here it can be seen placed near one of
the front windows, from Avhich was removed the old sash, and a
single pane of glass was placed to give an uninterrupted view of
it. This room, formerly the Judicial Hall of the colony of
Pennsylvania, contains many other most interesting relics of his-
torical and social interest; amongst others, the original charter,
signed by Penn, of the city ; West's ])ainting of the Treaty with
the Indians ; one hundred and thirty -four portraits, painted from
life, of many great men, by Sharpless between 1790 and. 1800.

In 1824, on the visit of La Fayette to Philadelphia, Inde-
pendence Chamber was fitted up to receive him, but not with the
true spirit of "restoration" shown in the fitting up for the Cen-
tennial of '76. The wooden statue of Washington, carved by
William Rush — noted for his figure-heads for ships — was at this
time })laced in the chamber on deposit.

In 1828, a committee appointed to examine the tower-walls
found they M'ere three feet thick at the base and eighteen inches
Vol. III.— 0 18 *

210 Annals of Philadelphia.

at the top, being carried up with good substantial brickwork
sixty-nine feet, having regular offsets at each of the stories. The
walls of tlie up])er story are thirty-one feet square, tied together
with girders. The committee decided it was sufficiently strong
to bear the superstructure of a wooden steeple.

A bell was ordered in October, 1751, and reached Philadel-
phia from London in August, 1752; and it being found in Sep-
tember " that it was cracked by a stroke of the clapper Avithout
any other violence, as it was hung up to try the sound," it was
recast here by Pass & Stow in March, and hung in April, 1753;
but not proving satisfactory in its tone, they recast it, and hung
it in June following. It weighed two thousand and eighty
pounds, and cost £60 13s. 5c?. The second not proving entirely
satisfactory to all parties, the English founder was ordered to
send over another of his make. The difference from the first
one was not very great, but both were retained. The American
bell continued to be used for threescore and three years. It
sometimes rang for the benefit of congregations, but was finally
stopped on complaints made, and reserved for public occasions.
(See the correspondence in relation to this bell in Hazard's Reg.
Penna., vol. i. 152, 222-3, 416; vol. ii. 144, 183, 220, 351,
376.)

The clock, which indicated the time on dials at the eastern and
western ends of the main building, was ordered March 11, 1752,
and was made by a noted city watch- and clock-maker, Peter
Stretch, who was paid, in 1759, £494 5s, 5Jf/. for making it and
taking care of it for six years. These dials or clock-faces showed
beneath the gables at the top of projections or jambs built to im-
itate the cases of old-fashioned high eight-day clocks, and reaching
down to the ground. Edward Diiffield in January, 1762, suc-
ceeded Mr. Stretch in the care of the clock, and he was followed
by David Rittcnhouse in 1775. "As he has charge of the time-
piece" [most probably of his own construction] " belonging to
the Philosophical Society, which is kept in the observatory m the
State House Square, with the astronomical instruments for adjust-
ing it, he conceives it would not be inconvenient for him to take
charge also of the said public clock," etc. The pay was twenty
pounds per annum.

In 1828 a new steeple was erected upon the tower which was
sixty feet higher than that which was finished in 1753, but re-
sembled the old steeple in its architectural details as nearly as
possible. A larger bell and new clock were ordered. The bell
was cast by J. Wilbank, and weighed four thousand two hundred
and seventy-five pounds, and cost §1923.75. Not being satisfac-
tory, Mr. Wilbank furnished another, weighing four thousand
six hundred pounds ; it was cracked, and was replaced by
nnother, which did duty for forty-five years in announcing the
hours, sounding fire-alarms, and being rung on important public

The State House. 211

occasions. The new arrangement for striking the liours with a
hammer regulated by the clock Avas adopted. A new arrange-
ment was also adopted for fire-signals, by which the direction of
the fire from the State House could be learned from the number
and arrangement of the sti'okes sounded upon the bell. This
bell was taken down in 1876, and replaced by another presented
to the city by citizen Henry Seybert. The old trouble was again
shown in the casting of this bell. It was made by Menealey &
Kimberly of Troy, but upon being tested the sound was not
satisfactory, as it did not reach to any great distance. It was
removed, and anotlier one cast and put in its place. The sup-
planted bell now strikes its clear and distinct notes for the in-
habitants of Germantown, being placed in the Town Hall. The
clock was made and kept in order by Isaiah Lukens, a watch-
and clock-maker of the city. In 1876 a new one was presented
the city by Henry Seybert, made by the Seth Thomas Clock
Company of Thomastown, Conn.

In 1831, Independence Chamber was restored nearly to its orig-
inal condition, under the care of Mr. Haviland. He reinstated
such portions of the panelling as had been removed, but fortu-
nately preserved in the attic of the State House, and only eked
out the missing portions. Councils also purchased Rush's statue
of Washington for five hundred dollars. He executed it in
1812; he had frequently modelled Gen. Washington in his life-
time, as well in miniature as of life-size. Of this statue when,
in September, 1831, Rush offered it for sale to Councils, he said :
"I think you need not have any doubts as to its being a good

likeness Judge Washington pronounced the figure here

alluded to immediately on sight a better likeness than Stuart's."
Rush was a member of Councils for twenty-two years, and at
this time had " been about sixty years at my business, and ])rob-
ably have exhibited some humble talents that would entitle me
to some consideration more than a mere laborer."

In 1832 the Society for Commemorating the Landing of Wil-
liam Penn presented, through Roberts Vaux and Thomas I.
Wharton, a full-length portrait of Penn, hoping it might be the
forerunner of a collection of portraits of eminent Pennsylvanians.

In 1846 the papers announce: "This sacred place is under-
going a thorough repairing, rei)ainting, etc The old fur-
niture disposed of, a splendid outfit in furniture, including
carpets, sofas, chairs, etc., is to be placed in it." The old Liberty
Bell was brought from the tower and placed on an ornamental
pedestal, with Peale's eagle surmounting it. After this, in 1854,
part of Peale's collection of portraits was purchased, amongst
them thirteen of the Signers. With these various things as a
nucleus, all sorts of things were presented to the city and stowed
away here without order or relevancy. On the approach of the
Centennial, the idea was conceived of restoring the original fur-

212 Annals of Philadelphia.

Diture of '76 and the room to its then appearance. Councils
appropriated six thousand five hundred dollars to the committee,
and tiie exterior as well as the interior of the building has been
nearly restored as it was in 1776. They have replaced the chair
originally made for the Speaker of the Assembly, and used by
President Hancock and Washington as president of the Con-
stitutional Convention ; the table on Avhich the Declaration was
signed ; the silver inkstand that held the ink ; a number of chairs
of the members; replaced ])illars that upheld the ceiling; and
thus made the chamber to be more highly revered than ever
before. The Liberty Bell was brought down, and is now in the
"west room or National Museum. The front brick- and marble-
work with great labor was cleaned off, as well as the entire
woodwork of the interior; and other improvements have been
made, which, with those yet to be done, will make the State
House and Yard the Mecca for American pilgrims.

On the eastern side of the hall is the east room, where the
Declaration was decided upon and signed. The 10th of May,
1776, was fixed for the meeting of the second Continental Con-
gress; the Assembly of Pennsylvania was on the eve of adjourn-
ment, and now for the first time they relinquished their chamber,
the east room, first floor, of the State House, leaving for that dis-
tinguished body all the furniture and equipment; and, ordering
" a dozen Windsor chairs " for the western or court room, they
took temporary possession of it for their sessions ; they afterward
occupied for some years one of the square chambers on the second
floor. The east room presents now nearly the same appearance
as it did on that occasion, the panelled woodwork in 1823-24, and
many pieces of the original furniture used by the second Conti-
nental Congress, having been restored.

Since the restoration of the hall there have been collected and
hung upon its walls the portraits of the Signers of the Declara-
tion. The majority of these were donated by the descendants
of their illustrious originals, but many were secured only by
purchase.

The Prince de Broglie describes in the narrative of his visit to
this country the appearance of the State House in 1782, as "a
building literally crushed by a huge massive tower, square and
not very solid ;" and the appearance of Congress, and the room as
large, " without any other ornament than a bad engraving of
Montgomery, one of Washington, and a coj^y of the Declaration
of Independence. It is furnished with thirteen tables, each cov-
ered with a green cloth. One of the principal rej)resentatives of
each of the thirteen States sits during the session at one of these
tables. The ])resident of the Congress has his ])lace in the mid-
dle of the hall upon a sort of throne. The clerk is seated just
below him."

Upon the completion of a portion of the building the east room

The State House. ' 213

was occupied by the Assembly (Andrew Hamilton, Speaker) at
their October session, 1736, the Council at this time sitting at the
house of the president, James Logan. In 1775 it was the meet-
ing-room of the second Continental Congress when it came to
Philadelphia, and was so occupied until the Declaration of Inde-
pendence and the Confederation, except when the city was held
by the British, until the removal to Princeton in 1783. After
this the Supreme Court occupied the room ; and the district court
of the city and county, created in 1811, sat here for some years.
In this same chamber the " Articles of Confederation and Perpet-
ual Union " between the United States were signed, which were
finally ratified by the whole thirteen States, March 1, 1781.

And again a body of the most distinguished men put it to
national use, for here met from May 14, 1787, till September
17th, the Federal Convention to frame a Constitution for the
United States of America; Washington was president of the
convention, and many of its members had also been members
of the old Continental Congress.

Afterward, on the 20th of November, the State convention met
in Independence chamber to take action upon the proposed Con-
stitution for the United States; and again, November 24, 1789,
to frame a new constitution for the State, known as the constitu-
tion of 1790, as they adjourned finally September 2d of that year.
As the result of this constitution, creating two branches of the
Legislature, the Senate and House took possession of the eastern
and western chambers, and here remained until the abandonment
of Philadelphia as the State capital. The " temporary " capital
was in 1799 at Lancaster, until finally removed as a "perma-
nent " one to Harrisburg.

In October, 1789, the First General Convention of the United
Protestant Episcopal Church met in the Assembly-room, by con-
sent of the president of the State, for eight days ; at which the
churches were united, the House of Bishops was formed, the first
president-bishop, Seabury, was elected, the constitution of the
Church was agreed upon and signed, and the present Prayer-
Book was ado})ted.

The second room prepared for use, the west room — not ready
for occupancy by some years as soon as the east room — was used
by the Supreme Court from 1743; also by the Assembly when
Congress was using the east room ; and by the convention to form
a constitution for the new State of Pennsylvania, July to Sep-
tember, 1776; and afterward by the mayor's court when tiie
Supreme Court moved to the east room after Congress left. The
Su})reme Court was not reorganized and in operation until the
summer of 1777. For a long time the west room was used for
holding the city and county courts, the Court of Connnon Pleas
occupying it last, until it was converted into a National Museum
in 1873.

214 Annals of Philadelphia.

Thus, the chambers hitherto occupied by the National and State
Legislatures were vacated after April 11th, 1799, and were un-
occupied until 1802, when Charles Wilson Peale was allowed the
use of the mIioIc second floor for his museum. Tiie old chairs
and furniture, not taken away by the Legislature, were sold or
given away as reli&s. The president's chair, the table, the silver
inkstand, two chairs, and others, were retained by the Legislature
and carried to Harrisbnrg. Seventy years afterward, through a
Committee of Restoration, many of them were replaced in their
original room.

John Hancoch's Chair. — This relic of Independence Hall and
of the " time that tried men's souls" was the i)roperty of the State
of Pennsylvania, which owned all the furniture of the chamber
of the old State House, where the Continental Congress sat.
There is nothing to show that the chamber was specially furnished
for the use of Congress, and the chair of the Speaker of the As-
sembly in former times was probably that which was used by the
presidents of the Continental Congress. It is most likely that
it did duty in the sessions of Congress held in the present Inde-
pendence Hall, but it is not known that it was removed to the
building at the south-east corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets,
called, when first erected, "Congress Hall." It is probable that
there was new furniture prepared for those chambers. While the
chair remained in the old State House it must have been used by
the successive presidents of Congress — viz. Peyton Randolph,
who resigned May 24, 1775; John Hancock, president until Oc-
tober, 1777; Henry Laurens, president from November, 1777,
to December, 1778; John Jay, president from December, 1778,
to September, 1779; Samuel Huntingdon, from September, 1779,
to July 10, 1781 ; Thomas McKean, from July to September,
1781 ; John Hanson, from November, 1781, to November, 1782;
Elias Boudinot, from November, 1782, to February 4th, 1783;
Thomas Mifflin, from February, 1783, to June, 1783 — when
Congress removed from Philadelphia, in consequence of the mu-
tinous conduct and threatenings of soldiers of the Pennsylvania
line. Congress did not coiistantly sit in Philadelphia during the
Revolution. It met at Baltimore March 4, 1777; at Lancaster,
Sej)tember 30, 1777 (Philadelphia being in the occupation of the
British); at York, July 2, 1778; and at Princeton, after the
mutiny, November 26, 1783. It afterward met at Annapolis
and at Trenton, and finally went to New York in 1785, where it
remained until the Constitution of the United States was adopted
and the Confederacy dissolved. In addition to the gentlemen
named above, it is ])robable that the chair was used officially by
manv other members of Congress when in committee of the whole
or upon other business. It afterward went into the State service,
and has been used by all the S|)eakers of the Senate since 1781.
At the dedication of the Washington Hall, October 1st, 1816, an

The State House. 215

address was delivered by John B. Wallace, Esq., who received
the keys of the building. This chair was used on that occasion.
There is a deal of history about that old chair ; and now that the
State Senate has restored it to Independence Hall, it Avill be one
of the most sacred relics preserved in that memorable place.

This chair was of course used by Washington in 1787 as pres-
ident of the Constitutional Convention. This is proved by Mr.
Madison in his Reports of the Debates of the Convention ; he says
in the Iladison Papers, iii. 1624: "Whilst the last members
were signing, Dr. Franklin, looking toward the president's chair,
at the back of which a rising sun hajipened to be painted, ob-
served to a few members near him that painters had found it
difficult to distinguish in their art a risine; from a settins: sun.
' I have,' said he, ' often and often, in the course of the session
and the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked
at that behind the president without being able to tell whether
it was rising or setting ; but now at length I have the happiness
to know that it is a rising not a setting sun.' " The chair has
carved on the top of its back, and gilded, the image of a sun half
in the sea ; whether rising from the sea, however, or setting in
it, is not so clear.

The staircase leading to the Council Chamber and to the other
two rooms on this floor, the Banqueting-Hall and its antechamber,
was completed as early as 1741.

The upper part of the building was occupied for various
offices, and one, " the Long Room," as an official banqueting-
room. William Allen, the mayor in 1736, inaugurated it as
such by giving a great banquet as a "raising" frolic, followed in
after years by all the ceremonial banquets, whether to celebrate
the king's birthday, the arrival of a new governor or any mem-
ber of the Proprietary family, or a commander-in-chief of the
royal forces, or it was even loaned to merchants for the same
purpose. From 1802 to 1828-29 it was occupied by Peale's
Museum of Natural History and Art. In October, 1743, the
governor's Council had their room finished for occupancy ; it was
the west room, second story. The U. S. circuit and district
courts and marshal's office occupied the second story, west room,
from 1828-29 until about 1854, when the city and districts were
consolidated under one government, and the City Councils, being
much increased in numbers, moved from Fifth and Chestnut
streets in 1855 and fitted up two chambers for their use.

The State House and Yard have been the scene of many no-
table historical and public events. Under its occupancy by the
Assembly of the Province and the courts of the city and county
it was the head-quarters of the people and their Indian neigh-
bors. When, in 1775, it was occupied by the second Conti-
nental Congress, it became of national interest, which was in-
tensified by the Declaration. On the 1st of July, 1776, Cou-

216 • Annals of Philadelphia.

gross adopted the resolution of Richard Henry Lee declaring the
colonies to be free and independent States, as offered by him on
the 7th of June, and had appointed on the 11th, Jefferson,
Adams, Franklin, Sherman, and Livingston as a committee, Lee
being at home on account of the illness of his wife. On the 1st
of July, Jefferson, as chairman, reported a draft of ti)e Decla-
ration ; tiie form of it w:ts debated on the 3d and 4th, and tiien
ado])ted in secret session ; it Avas announced the next day, and
publicly read from an observatory erected by the Philosoj)hical
Society in the State House Yard, on the 8th of July by John
Nixon, a member of the Council of Safety of Pennsylvania; and
not by Captain Hopkins, as stated by Watson, Vol. I. p. 402.

In one of the chambers Ebenezer Kinnersley, colaborer with
Franklin, gave his lectures on electricity in 1752.

The building has also been used by the city for public re-
ceptions of celebrated men, among whom were La Fayette in
1824, Presidents Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Polk, Taylor,
Pierce, Lincoln, Grant, and Hayes; also Clay, Scott, and others;
also for the lying-in-state of the bodies of John Quincy Adams,
Henry Clay, Abraham Lincoln, and citizen soldiers.

It was used by the British as a hospital and prison, the soldiers
being confined in the Long Room up stairs, at the time of the
battle of Germantown. A public reception was given in July,
1778, to Conrad Alexander Gerard, the first minister from
France after her alliance with the colonies. He was escorted by
Richard Henry Lee and Samuel Adams in a chariot with six
horses. On the 3d of November, 1781, twenty-four standards
and colors taken from the British under Cornwallis were brought
here, escorted by the military and the populace.

For many years it has been the place of holding large meet-
ings, both in front of the building and in the yard. Until the
city was subdivided thoroughly into wards and ])recincts it was
the place for voting at elections, which brought immense num-
bers of people to one spot in one day, and many disturbances
were caused by it. Now that the voting takes place in each
ward, Election Day is nearly as quiet as any other, and produces
no disturbances of any moment. Elections at the State House
were discontinued by the ])assage of the act of May 3d, 1850,
which declared they should be held in the respective wards.
The division into precincts came shortly afterward, in 1851.

In 1816 the State sold the State House and buildings and the
whole square to the city for seventy thousand dollars, under the
trust that it should be used only for public purpose-s, and that no
part of the grounds should be used for erecting any buildings.
The corridors and offices at the wings had been torn down in
1813, and the present office-wings were erected for the use of the
county clerks and offices. In doing so the space occupied by the
corridors and staircases was built out wider than it had before

The State House. 217

been, and thus covered up the two southernmost doors in Inde-
pendence Chamber and in the Judicial Chamber, and also neces-
sitated the removino; of the high case of the old clock.

Among the buildings on the Square are the City Hall at the
eastern corner on Chestnut street, occupied by the mayor and the
police, and the building in the rear on Fifth street, in which the
American Philosophical Society has its library and museum in
the second story, the lower story being used for courts and other
offices. On the western corner is the Old Congress building,
occupied by the Higliway Department and the courts, and in the
rear is a plain brick structure built for the Court of Quarter
Sessions and its offices. The City or "Common" Hall, and
the County Building, now known as Congress Hall, M^ere not
built when Hamilton planned the State House, but he thought
of the needs of the city and the county, and he reserved two lots
of fifty by seventy-three feet for these buildings.

P. 397. "By 'a law passed Feb. 17, 1762, a lot containing
fifty feet in front on the south side of Chestnut street and sev-
enty-three feet in depth on Fifth street (west side) was appropri-
ated to the use of the city for erecting a public building to hold
courts of common halls, and another lot of the same front on
Chestnut street and the same depth on the east side of Sixth, to
the use of the city and county of Philadelphia for like purposes."
{Col. Eecs., vol. xiv. p. 285.) Fifteen feet to each lot were added
in 1787 by the Legislature.

The building at the south-west corner of Fifth and Chestnut
streets was built in 1790-91 for a city hall. It was occupied
from February, 1791, to August, 1800, while the Federal gov-
ernment was in Philadelphia, by the Supreme Court of the United
States, under Chief-Justices John Jay, John Rutledge, Cashing, and
Oliver Ellsworth, with their associate justices; by the Supreme
Court of the State ; also by the United States District Court, of
which Francis Hopkinson, William Lewis, and Richard Peters
were judges. The mayor's court for the city was held in the
south room, first story. Here the ]>etty cases of the day were
heard by him until by the new regulation the aldermen of the
different wards performed those functions. City Councils also
met here, in the second story, until the consolidation in 1854.
The city treasurer also occupied the east rooms on the lower
floor; he is at present (1879) in the northern half of the Girard
Bank, in Third street.

Congress Hall, the building at the south-east corner of Sixth
and Chestnut streets, though in the original plan of Hamilton,
w^as not commenced till 1787 and finished in February, 1789. It
was originally intended for the county courts. The occupancy of
it was given to Congress between 1790 and 1800, when the Fed-
eral government was removed to Philadelphia. The House of
Representatives sat in the chamber which occupied the whole of

218 Annals of Philadelphia.

the first floor, the Senate on the south part of the second floor.
There was no door on Sixth street, as the case is now ; it was
opened about 1820. A hall or vestibule ran from the front door
on either side the entrance on Chestnut street, containing the
stairways; also there was an entrance to the gallery from the
east. Offices were on each side of the hull and in the second
story, and they were occupied by officers and committees of
Congress. In the chamber of the House of Representativas,
President Washington was inaugurated March 4th, 1793, for the
second term, and John Adams as Vice-President ; and Adams as
President and Jefferson as Vice-President in 1797.

On this occasion, the 4th of March, the Senators and Repre-
sentatives being assembled with unusual state, and the ambassa-
dors of foreign nations, glittering with the insignia of rovaltv,
around, the modest Washington, having on that day closed his
long and splendid career, entered the assembly, "and, taking a
seat as a private citizen a little in front of the seats assigned for
the Senate, which were on the south side of the house," showed
by his presence the respect which he deemed that propriety made
decorous to the successor in his office.

The original draft of Wa-^hington's "Farewell Address" is
owned by Henry Lenox of New York.

And here Washington came on Dec. 8th, 1798, from his
"peaceful abode," "so dearly loved," in fulfilment of the last
office conferred on him — that of lieutenant-general of all the
armies, with his secretary. Col. Lear, and his trusted major-gen-
erals, Hamilton and Pinckney, beside him, when Congress had
ordered the nation should be armed against the aggressions of
France.

During the sessions of Congress in this building the army and
navy were M'ell established ; the United States Mint was started ;
Jay's treaty of commerce with England was debated and ratified;
the United States Bank was instituted ; the States of Vermont,
Kentucky, and Tennessee were admitted ; two formidable insur-
rections were put down — Shay's Pcbellion and the AVhiskey In-
surrection ; an Indian war was conducted ; and the official an-
nouncement of the death of Washington was made.

Here Fisher Ames defended, in his memorable speech, Wash-
ington and the treaty of Mr. Jay ; here Marshall vindicated the
action of the Executive under it in that conclusive argument
which fixed the eyes of the nation at once upon him, and showed
to all how fit he was for that highest honor with which he was
afterward adorned; within these same walls Dexter, Sedgwick,
Trumbull, Tracey, Williams, Benson, Boudinot, Sitgreaves,
Harper, and Smith of South Carolina gave force and dignity
to all around them, and the })ious Ashbel Green invoked the
guidance of Heaven upon their counsels and their acts.

The news of Washington's death reached Philadelphia on the

The State House. 219

day of his funeral, and the official announcement was made the
following day on the floor of the House by the Hon. John Mar-
shall of Virginia, afterward chief-justice of the United States.
It was resolved there should be a funeral j)rocession from Con-
gress Hall to the German Lutheran Ciiurch to hear the funeral
oration by General Henry Lee, Washington's intimate friend.
The church, in Fourth street above Arch, at the corner of
Cherry street, the largest in the city, was crowded on the occa-
sion. This old church was taken down in 1871 and a row of
fine stores built on its site. The illustration represents it as it
was at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

After Congress removed from Philadelphia the building was
used for court- rooms, as originally intended ; and afterward the
arched entrance on Sixth street was opened, the partitions of the
entry from Chestnut street were taken down, and the two rooms
and entry thrown into one large room. This was used for years
as a court-room, afterward as the tax- receiver's office, and now by
the Highway Department.

Mr. William McKay ("Lang Syne") wrote: "Here is an in-
side view of the plain brick building at the south-east corner of
Sixth and Chestnut streets. In this limited enclosure the repre-
sentatives of the people in former days viewed themselves as sur-
rounded by uncommon elegance and decoration in their discus-
sions, they being ' fresh from the ranks of the people ' — actually
so — and unused to legislative splendor other than had been ex-
hibited by the old Congress of 1776 in the east wing of the State
House on Chestnut street. Prior to their removal South they
passed unanimously a vote of thanks to the authorities of Penn-
sylvania for having done the thing so very handsomely.

" The House of Representatives, in session, occupied the whole
of the ground floor, upon a platform elevated three steps in as-
cent, plainly carpeted, and covering nearly the whole of the area,
with a limited login or promenade for the members and privileged
persons, and four narrow desks between the Sixth street windows
for the stenographers, Lloyd, Gales, Cal lender, and Duane. The
Speaker's chair, without canopy, was of plain leather and brass
nails, facing the east, at or near the centre of the western
wall.

" The Senate convened in the room up stairs, looking into the
State House garden. It has since been used by Judges Washing-
ton and Peters as the Federal court.

" In a very plain chair, Avithout canopy, and with a small ma-
hogany table before him, festooned at the sides and front with
green silk, Mr. Adams, the Vice-President, presided as president
of the Senate, facing the north. Among the thirty Senators of
that day there was observed constantly during the debate the
most delightful silence, the most beautiful order, gravity, and
personal dignity of manner. They all appeared every morning

220 Annals of Philadelphia,

full-powdered and dressed, as age or fancy might suggest, in the
richest material. Tiie very atmosphere of the place seemed to
inspire wisdom, mildness, and condescension. Should any of
them so far forgot for a moment as to be the cause of a pro-
tracted whisper while another was addressing the Vice-President,
three gentle taps with his silver pencil-case by Mr. Adams im-
mediately restored everything to repose and the most respectful
attention, presenting in their courtesy a most striking contrast
to the independent loquacity of the Representatives below stairs,
some few of whom persisted in wearing, while in their seats and
during the debate, their ample cocked hats, placed 'fore and aft'
upon their heads."

At these two corners of Fifth and Sixth streets on Chestnut
street, on the State House Square, before the Revolution, large
wooden sheds were put up, as seen in Peale's picture of the Hall
as it stood in 1778. One of them was used as a place of shelter
for the Indians visiting the city as deputations; the other was
sometimes used for storage ; during the Revolution they were
used for artillery and general munitions of war. The Assembly
of the Province granted these corner lots, some time before the
Revolution, to the city and county of Philadelphia.

That portion of the Square on which the building of the Amer-
ican Philosophical Society stands was granted to the society by
the Commonwealth in 1785, and it was erected in 1787, the
proviso of the grant being that the grantees were strictly re-
strained from selling, transferring, or even leasing it, and the
buildings to be erected thereon were to be applied exclusively to
the accommodation of the said society. The Philadel])hia Library
Company had also applied several times for a similar lot, but
was always refused. The society takes its origin from the
Junto, an association established in 1743 by Dr. Franklin, Nich-
olas Scull (afterward surveyor-general of the Province), George
"Webb (one of our early poets), and others. Another society,
called the American Society for Promoting Useful Knowledge,
was founded in 1766. The two Avere united in 1769, and char-
tered by the Penns, under the title of "The American Philo-
sophical Society, held at Pliiladelj)hia, for Promoting Useful
Knowledge." The first president was Benjamin Franklin, suc-
ceeded by David Ritten house, Thomas Jefferson, Professor Cas-
par Wistar, Professor Robert Patterson, Chief-Justice William
Tilghman, and others. What other of " the old Thirteen " can
present such names in the history of physical science as Bar-
tram, Rittenhouse, Kinnersley, Godfrey, and Franklin? What
other Legislature than the Legislature of our Province gave at
the early day of 1769, when our Provincial means were limited,
two ^HHidred ])ounds to buy a telescope and build an observatory,
that philosophers might observe the transit of Venus in that day,
and again, iu 1775, presented three hundred pounds to David

The State House. 221

Rittenliouse " as a testimony of the high sense which tlie House
entertained of his mathematical genius and abilities in construct-
ing his orrery"?

" Peale's Museum " \vas located in the chambers of the lower
floor of the society building in 1794. The collection started with
some bones of the mammoth and the paddle-fish in 1785, and was
at first located in a diminutive frame house connected with his
dwelling, corner of Third and Lombard streets. He was a natu-
ralist, and also an artist, having studied with Hesselius, Copley,
and West. When he got fairly settled he constantly engaged in
painting portraits, increasing his collection and enlarging a zoo-
logical garden he started in the rear of the hall. Many of the
portraits of the heroes of the war and the statesmen of the day,
particularly those known as the " Peale Collection," which for a
long time adorned his museum, were painted in this building.
Washington sat to him and simultaneously to his brother and
two sous, giving rise to the bon-mot of a punster on meeting Mrs.
Washington, who mentioned the fact to h*im : " Madam, the
President will be peeled all round if he don't take care." The
eagle now in the National Museum is from his zoological garden.
In 1802 he removed the museum to the State House, the whole
second floor having been granted him rent free. Here he re-
mained until his death. A signboard, "Museum," was placed
over the front door. Afterward it was removed into the Arcade
in Chestnut street, and kept by his son, Rembrandt Peale, also
an artist.

P. 397. Directions had been given in 1732 that "the ground
belonging to the State House may be with the least expense, and
with all convenient speed, levelled and enclosed with a board
fence, in order that walks may be laid out and trees planted to
render the same more beautiful and commodious." A brick wall
seven feet high Avas finally erected in 1770 as a protection, but
no attempts to plant or embellish the grounds seem to have been
made down to the period of the Revolution. The wall on Wal-
nut street had an immense gateway and pair of wooden doors in
the middle of that front. In 1785 trees were planted, walks laid
out, and the Square otherwise made attractive. In 1791, to'ad-
mit " a freer circulation of air, the east and west walls were low-
ered," and "an iron railing fixed into a stone coping along the
length of Fifth and Sixtii streets." In 1813 the Walnut street
wall was also lowered to correspond. A very handsome iron
gate, flanked by substantial marble posts, the latter surmounted
by lamps, now replaced the cumbersome folding doors ; at the
same time the entire brick wall around the State House Yard was
removed, and another, surmounted by an iron railing, ])ut in its
place in 1811-13, by order of Councils, mainly by tiie efforts of
George Vaux, at a cost of $6506.18, exclusive of the cost of the
southern gate. Of this sum over three thousand dollars was sub-

19*

222 Annals of Philadelphia.

scribed by incllviduals. A serious accident occurred here when
celebrating the layino; of the Athintic cable, September, 1858;
several feet of the railing and capping fell upon and injured the
people, owing to the numbers crowded upon them and pulling the
wall over on them. In 1875-76 the wall and railing and en-
trance-gates were removed, and the present beautiful granite wall
and extra entrances made ; also the grounds were newly laid out
with more numerous and convenient walks, flower-beds, etc.

By the report of a committee in September, 1784, it was shown
that a number of repairs was needed. The sidewalk had not
been paved, but was still in turf, except the semicircular ]iath-
way of pebble-stones leading to the steps. A brick sidewalk
nine feet in width was laid and the intervening space gravelled.
Two pumps were placed, one in front of each arcade, and one
luuidred leather fire-buckets ordered, but no trees planted. The
street jiroposed to be opened from Chestnut to ^Market, op|)osite
the State House, in the Assembly in 1772, is still unacted upon.

P. 397. Col. George Morgan of Princeton presented, through
Samuel Vaughan, in April, 1785, one hundred elm trees, which
until lately were the oldest trees in the Square. These were all
cut down on account of the worms in them. (See Reg. Penna.,
vol. i. p. 416, for a letter of thanks from President Dickinson for
them, dated April 22, 1705; also Col. Records, vol. xiv. p. 368;
also Penna. Archives, vol. x. p. 420.)

By the violent storm of Wednesday, October 23, 1878, a num-
ber of the finest and oldest trees were blown down in this Square
and in Washington Square.

P. 399. At the time the British were expected to occupy
Philadelphia the bell and seven others from Christ Church
and two from St. Peter's were removed to Allentown, the latter
against the objections of the wardens and vestry. In passing
throu2;h Bethlehem the wag-on containing; the State House bell
broke down, and had to be unloaded.

Stated by Judge McKean, p. 400. — See his letter in appendix
to .Marshall's Remembrancer or diary, published by William
Duane ; also Force's American Archives.

Ilorris, Rush, etc., p. 400. — 3Iorris should be 3Iessrs. Morris
was a member on the 4th of July, and five lines above he is said
to have been absent on that day.

Charles Riddle (p. 401) was the father of Nicholas (president
Bank U. S.) and of Coinmodore James Biddle, etc.

Edward Rurd (p. 401) was appointed jirothonotary of the Su-
preme Court Aug. 29tli, 1778. His office was on the west side
of Fourth street, below Walnut.

Who First Publicly Read the Declaration? 223

WHO FIRST PUBLICLY READ THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE?

P. 402. Hon. Wingate Hayes of Rhode Lsland, a member of
the convention which sat in Philadelphia respecting the erection
of a monument in Independence Square, July 5 and 6, 1852, said
in his speech : '' It is, sir, a fact of great interest to us that the
Declaration of Independence, signed in this hall, wa.s read to the
people of Philadelphia from yonder balcony by a Bhode Island
man, the first commodore in the American navy and a brother
of one of the Signers of that great instrument." [Alluding to
Commodore Hopkins. See the proceedings as published in a
pamphlet, p. 60.]

This fact has been a doubtful one. Strange to say, the papers
of the day, announcing that it was read on the 8th of July, do
not say by ivhom it was read, and old persons who heard it read
differ as to the reader. But I think the following extract from
Marshall's Remembrancer, printed by Duane, ought to settle the
question, as it was a record made at the time, after his return from
hearing it read. True, we have just said others who heard it
read differ, but Marshall was one of the Committee of Safety
under whose charge the proceedings were, and therefore was an
official actor in the scene. He says (p. 93) : " Joined the Com-
mittee of Safety (as called) ; went in a body to State House
Yard, where, in the presence of a great concourse of people,
the Declarcdion of Independence was read by John Nixon. The
company declared their approbation by three repeated huzzas."
Nixon was himself one of the Committee of Safety.

Extract from minutes of Committee of Safety : " Ordered,
That the Sheriff of Philadelphia read or cause to be read and pro-
claimed at the State House in the city of Philadelphia, on Mon-
day, the Eighth day of July, instant, at twelve o'clock at noon
of the same day, the Declaration of the Representatives of the
United Colonies of America, and that he cause all his officers
and the constables of the said city to attend the reading thereof.

" Resolved, That every member of this Committee in or near
the city be ordered to meet at the Committee Chamber before
twelve o'clock on Monday, to proceed to the State House, where
the Declaration of Independence is to be proclaimed."

"The Committee of Insjiection of the City and Liberties were
requested to attend the proclamation of Independence, at the
State House, on Monday next at twelve o'clock." (See Col.
Records, vol. x. p. 635.)

"The son of an Irishman, Colonel Nixon, as already men-
tioned, had the honor of first publicly announcing and reading it
[the Declaration] from the State House." {Brief Account of the
Socy. of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, 1844, p. 68.)

224 Annals of Philadelphia.

"He, John Xixon, had the honor of first reading the Decla-
ration of Independence on the 12th of July [8tli], 177G, to the
people assembled in Independence Square. Tliis he did//-ow the
central window of the State House fronting the Square." [Ibtd.y
p. 34.)

"June 12, 1855. Ilichard AVilling, at his house. Third and
York court, a relative of the Nixon family, informed me, in
presence of Henry J. Williams, that he often heard the Nixon
family speak of the fact of JSIr. Nixon reading it, and ' they
appeared to do it with a sort of family pride.' " (Samuel Hazard,
3ISS.)

Samuel Hazard instituted inquiries in this matter. The files
of the Providence Gazette of the time of the Declaration were
examined, but they are silent, simply recording the fact that the
Declaration was made on a given day. Mr. Hayes, on being
asked his authority for his statement, replied that what he said
was upon the authority of a gentleman of Providence versed in
antiquarian traditions. On application to that gentleman, lie
said the sul^ject had' partially passed from his mind, but he
remembered having remarked to j\Ir. Hayes, previous to his
going to the convention, that he had been informed — he did not
distinctly recollect by whom — that the Declaration was read by
Commodore Hopkins, and if such was the case the honor be-
longed to Rhode Island. He added, that if he at the time sup-
posed the statement well founded, he no longer had belief in its
validitv, for reasons which he assigned.

Inquiries were subsequently made of such elderly gentlemen
of intelligence living in Providence in 1862 as would be likely to
have knowledge of the fact, but nothing satisfactory was gained.
Finally, Hon. John Hopkins Clarke, formerly member of Con-
gress from Providence, and Mho is a descendant of Commodore
Hopkins, replied to the inquiry : " I never heard that either [i. e.
the commodore or his son. Captain H.] was called to that posi-
tion, nor has any such tradition ever reached me. Indeed, I have
no belief that such Avas the fact."

We are thus led to entirely disbelieve that Hopkins, as stated by
AVatson, had anything to do with it. The only circumstance that
could give plausible color to the statement is the lact of Commo-
dore Hopkins having been in Philadcl{)hia from June to August
in 1776. But as he was there under a cloud, to meet the Marine-
Committee to answer charges preferred against him — of which he
was finally acquitted — it is not probable that the president of
Congreas would have selected him for so conspicuous a service ;
besides which, his well-known limited education unfitted him for
it. Nor is there any sti"onger reason for supposing Captain Hop-
kins to have been appointed to that duty. It is singular that
Watson and Graydon should have made the statements tiiat ap-
pear in their volumes, though they may be accounted for in this

Who First Publicly Read the Declaration? 225

way : Probably when the Declaration was printed groups gather-
ed in shops, public-houses, and private parlors to hear it read.
Commodore Hopkins may have read it to one such group, and
Captain Hopkins to another, and in subsequent years some one
then present may have stated that he heard the Declaration read
by the commodore or captain, without explaining tohere ; and the
hearer, supposing it must have been from the balcony of Inde-
pendence Hall, reported accordingly, thus originating a story in
part, though unintentionally, made untrue, which ultimately
found its way into print in the form in which it there appears.
Traditions are as gloriously uncertain as the law, and often give
the historian quite as much trouble in his dealings with them.

That careful historian, Benson J. Lossing, has stated it was
Nixon who read the paper. An interesting account of Nixon
may be found in Richardson's Historical Magazine, vol. iv.
371.

If proof were wanting of the uncertainty of tradition about a
comparatively recent fact, it may be found in the statements of
where it was read. Watson says from the platform of Ritten-
house's observatory ; others state from the steps of the tower of
the State House ; others, from the balcony ; others, from the cen-
tral window, etc.

Rittenhouse observed the transit at Norriton, not at the State
House. The observatory Avas erected by the American Philo-
sophical Society for a special committee of observation here.
Rittenhouse may have directed or superintended its construction.
The best authorities state it was read from the balcony or plat-
form of the observatory, the popular rostrum of the day, by John
Nixon, and in a loud clear voice, heard on the other side of Fifth
street. The observatory stood about forty feet due west from the
rear door of the present Philosophical Hall, and about the same
distance south from the present eastern wing. It was of circular
shape, as appears from the foundations recently discovered when
perfecting the sewerage of the Square. It was erected by the
American Philosophical Society with the permission of the As-
sembly, who not only granted it, but contributed one hundred
pounds to assist in purchasing a telescope, which was done for
the society by Dr. Franklin, at that time agent for Pennsylvania
in London. The transit of Venus over tlie sun was observed by
David Rittenhouse, Dr. John Ewing, Joseph Shippen, Thomas
Pryor, James Pearson, Dr. Hugh Williamson, and Charles Thom-
son. The weather was fine, the situation favorable, and their
report was acceptable to the learned bodies of Europe.

The enthusiasm upon hearing the Declaration exhibited itself
by repeated cheers, by pulling down the royal insignia all over
the city, by bonfires, fireworks, etc.

Vol. III.— P

226 Annals of Philadelphia.

WHERE WAS THE DECLARATION WRITTEN?

This question has become an exceedingly interesting one to
those fond of searching into hidden mysteries. Until within a
few years it has popularly been supposed it was written in the
house standing at the south-west corner of Seventh and Market
streets. As long ago as 1825 it was an unsettled question, and
Dr. Mease of this city, our first antiquarian, who wrote the
Picture of Philadelphia, in 1810, wishing to settle the matter,
wrote to Thomas Jefferson, and received the following reply:

"MoxTiCELLO, Sept. 16, 1825.

" Dear Sir : It is not for me to estimate the importance of
the circumstances concerning which your letter of the 8th makes
inquiry. They prove, even in their minuteness, the sacred at-
tachments of our fellow-citizens to the event of which the paper
of July 4, 1776, was but the Declaration, the genuine effusion of
the soul of our country' at that time. Small things may, per-
haps, like the relics of saints, help to nourish our devotion to
this holy bond of our Union, and keep it longer alive and warm
in our affections. This effect may give importance to circum-
stances, however small. At the time of Avriting that instrument
I lodged in the house of Mr. Graaf, a new brick house, three
stories high, of which I rented the second floor, consisting of a
parlor and bedroom, ready furnished. In that parlor I wrote
habitually, and in it wrote this paper particularly.

"So far, I state from written proofs in my possession. The
proprietor, Graaf, w^as a young man, son of a German, and then
newly married. I think he was a bricklayer, and that his house
was on the south side of jSIarket street, probably between Seventh
and Eighth streets, and if not the only house on that part of the
street, I am sure there were few others near it. I have some idea
that it was a corner house, but no other recollections thro\N'ing any
light on the question or worth communication. I will, therefore,
only add assurance of my great respect and esteem.

" Th. Jefferson.

" Dr. James Mease, Philadelphia."

This was supposed to fix the locality, but various papers have
been written upon the subject. In Potter^s American Monthly,
May, 1876, vol. vi. p. 341-4, a writer claims the house was not
at the corner, but the one next to the corner. He bases his state-
ment on these points :

June 1st, 1775, Edmund Physick deeded a property to Jacob
Graff, Jr., bricklayer, a lot on the south side of High street and
on the west side of Seventh street, containing in breadth on High
street thirty-two feet, and on the west side of Seventh street, in

Where was the Declaration Written f 227

length one hundred and twenty-four feet, extending to a ten-
foot alley.

On July 24, 1777, Jacob Graff sold this property to Jacob
Hiltzheimer, yeoman, identical in boundaries as in the deed re-
ceiv^ed by Graff, and with this addition : " The said Jacob Graff
hath erected a brick messuage or tenement on the said described
lot." Hiltzheimer converted the first floor of this messuage into
a store, and so occupied it until his death in 1801. He was a
successful man, and owned other property. He built another
house to match his " brick messuage or store," and adjoining, as
will be seen by the partition of his estate; also he reduccxl the
depth of the lots from one hundred and twenty-four feet to
ninety feet by building on the southern end of his Seventh street
front. He left five heirs to his large estate : Mary gets as part
of one equal fifth part, described as "all that three-story tene-
ment or store and lot on the south side of High street and west
side of Seventh street, in breadth sixteen feet eight inches and in
depth ninety feet, bounded westward by store and lot No. 2,"
which is described exactly similar, save that it is "at the distance
of sixteen feet eight inches westward from Delaware Seventh
street," and this goes to his son Thomas. Eight months after
Thomas comes in possession, or on March 26, 1802, assignees
sell this house and lot to Simon Gratz, M'ho had already posses-
sion of the adjoining or corner lot and store, having bought it of
Mary Dec. 15th, 1801, and it becomes Gratz's store property, so
famous for many years.

Thus we have legal proof of four points: 1st. In June, 1775,
E. Physick sold a thirty-two foot lot which had no house on.
2d. He sold it to Jacob Graff, Jr., a bricklayer, and, likely
enough, a young man. 3d. Jacob Graff built a three-story brick
house on one of these lots within two years and two months,
for he sold both the lots and a house on them on July 24,
1777. 4th. Hiltzheimer, who bought the property, built an ad-
ditional house before 1801, proved by his leaving two houses of
equal breadth. Yet these four facts are of little practical value
in determining the point in question. They simply prove that
there was but one house erected on part of a thirty-two foot lot
before 1777, and that it was built and occupied by young Graff
at such a time as to prove that Jefferson may have lived with
him. It does not at all settle whether it was the corner house
or the one adjoining.

Mr. Thompson Westcott takes the other side of the question)
and asserts that Mr, Hiltzheimer did not convert the house into
a store for his own use, for he was a livery-stable keeper, doing
business on Seventh between Market and Chestnut streets, as
proved by White's Directory for 1785, but probably gave up
business shortly after that, for in 1786 he was elected to the As-
sembly, and each year after until 1797. From 1791 to 1798 he

228 Annals of PJdladelphia.

is in all the Directories as " Member of the House " or " gentle-
man" at No. 1 South Seventh street, whicli was, and is, on the
east side of Seventh street, o})posite to liis property.

Then who did live in the corner house and No. 702, next to
it? In November, 1785, two Directories were published —
White's and Macpherson's, the first issued. White arranged his
by the first letter, and Macpherson gave the names and numbers
in consecutive order in each square. From both we gather there
was an occupant at the house south-west corner of Seventh and
Market streets named either Rash or Finley, and that Baltus
Emerick lived at No. 234, w'hich would be the second house
above the corner house. No Directories were issued from 1785
till 1791, none in 1792, but one for 1793 and after. By the
Directories we find that in 1791, Hon. James Wilson lived at
No. 230, the corner; in 1793-94, Joseph Mussi lived there; in
1795-96, John Eichards lived there; from 1801-03, Jacob Cox
lived there. From 1791-97 no one is put down for No. 232;
in 1798-1803, Simon and Hymau Gratz were recorded as occu-
pying No. 232; and during all the years from 1791-1803 Baltus
Emerick, baker, is living at 234, as he was in 1785 at the same
place, though under an old and arbitrary mode of numbering.

This would tend to prove that there was a corner house at
Seventh and Market streets, and a vacancy next door west of it,
between the corner and Eraerick's house, or No. 234 ; and this
seems further proved by the fact that not only no Directory
as late as 1798 assigned any one to 232, but in Hogan's Direc-
tory for 1795, of which there were two editions, each with some
alterations from the other, 230 and 234 are mentioned in both
of them, but nobody is assigned to 232 ; thus perhaps proving
the first house was built at the corner, and that there was none
alongside of it for twenty years after Jefferson resided there.

The Gratzes first occupied No. 232, or Thomas Hiltzheimer's
store, as tenants, but bought in 1801 the corner from Mary, then
Mrs. Rogers, and three- months later bought the store they Avere
in. No. 232. Here they remained until some time in 1813, for in
Directories after 1814 they are recorded occupying both Nos. 230
and 232. They at some time raised the height of both houses to
four stories, with a steep-pitched roof, and painted the bricks,
which made them uniform and destroyed their ancient appearance.

Nicholas Biddle (born in 1786) in 1827, in an eulogium on
Jefferson before the American Philosophical Society, declared it
was written " in a house recently built on the outskirts of tlie city,
and almost the last dwelling-house to the westward, .... at the
south-west corner of Sevcntli and INIarket streets ;" " and the
house is known to be that." Dr. Mease lived from his child-
hood for many years near Seventh and INIarket, and would ])rob-
ably know which was the first house built at or next the corner;
and he thought it was the corner one, and that Jefferson con-

Washington and Franhlin Squares. 229

firmed it. Dr. Mease was older than Mr. Biddle, and should
have some recollections about it. Frederick Graif, the engineer
of the waterworks, was born in the house his father built, and
it was a family legend that Jefferson at times nursed him. He
was never known to contradict the fact of the corner house
having been his birthplace.

It will thus be seen that neither statement can positively say-
that the Declaration was written in either house. But we think
the weight of the testimony is in favor of Mr. Westcott, who
states the corner house to be the one. Miss Agnes Y. Mc-
Allister wrote a very clear and able paper in Potter's Amcriean
Monthly for March, 1875, p. 223, in which she upholds the same
opinion, and which her father, John McAllister, Jr., had ex-
pressed in 1855. Watson says it was at the corner, and that the
landlady was named Mrs. Clymer. (See Vol. I. 470 ; II. 309.)

WASHINGTON AND FRANKLIN SQUARES.

Washington Square, p. 405. — See Penna. Archives, xii. 468, for
patent from William Penn, and various other ]>articulars respect-
ing this Square, particularly as a potters' field both before and
after the " patent." This square ceased to be a public burying-
ground after 1815. Trees were planted by order of City Coun-
cils under the superintendence of the eminent French botanist,
Michaux.

P. 406. There are those now living who remember when in
their boyhood days a cattle-yard was on the south-west portion
of the square ; a stream of water ran through a gully, in a course
about east-south-east, continued by a culvert under the corner
of the prison at Locust (then Prune) street. The square was
enclosed with a post-and-rail fence. The Presbyterian church
was finished in 1822; the columns were sanded in the lot where
the mansion of Mr. Howard H. Furness (formerly belonging to
Evans Rogers) now stands, and which was built by the late
Langdon Cheves of Charleston, S. C. Many, no doubt, re-
member Mrs. McAlister, the "old herb-woman," who lived be-
low the church, for she was well known for her eccentricities, etc.
Somerdyke's stables will also be remembered as a landmark of
fifty years ago. The square can never be sold or built upon.

The four public squares in the city — known as Washington,
Franklin, Logan, and Rittenhouse — were dedicated for " the
same uses as Moorfields, in London, as an open space for ever."
In that particular those squares differ from Centre (or Penn)
Square, which was reserved by the Proprietary for public build-
ings. They were intended as breathing-places for a great city.

Logan and Franklin Squares contain each 7 acres 3 roods

230 Annals of Pliiladel'phia.

13.55360 perches; Washington and Rittenhouse Squares, each
6 acres 2 roods 3.144160 perches.

About 1815 there was a ])iiblic thoroughfare across both Wash-
ington and Franklin Squares, in continuation of Seventh street,
though this street was never opened througli them by authority
of law; it was fenced on each side, though unpaved. It occa-
sioned considerable newspaper discussion. A few years later,
say about 1821 or 1822, the square, as at present bounded, was
laid out by order of the City Councils. The survey was made
by the late William Rush, at that time a celebrated carver of the
district of Kensington. The lot was used as a playground by the
boys in the vicinity, and some of the number frequently assisted
in holding the line for the old gentleman.

The Potters' Field had a space about the middle of it, twenty
or thirty feet square, fenced in with a brick wall, around the
grave of a female suicide. It was a private burial-ground be-
longing to Joshua Carpenter, who was for many years the lessee
of the square for pasture purposes. Besides the cattle market,
it was used as a depository for cobble-stones for paving. Hill's
plan of the city, engraved in London in 1794, had Seventh street
running through in a direct line.

The corner-stone for a monument to Washington, w'hich was
prepared by the marble-masons of Philadelphia, and Avhich
formed a conspicuous object in the centennial celebration of
Washington's birthday in 1832, was intended to be the com-
mencement of a monument to the memory of Washington to be
erected by the citizens of Philadelphia. It was laid in the centre
round plot of Washington Square on the 22d of February, 1833,
and still remains there. It was exjiected at the time that sub-
scriptions by citizens would be so liberal that the monument
would be commenced soon after the stone Avas laid, but the sum
in hand was too small. The money was held for several years,
togetlier with a fund collected in 1824 for the same purpose, by
the Hon. Joseph R, Ingersoll. Since Mr. Ingersoll's death his
executors, upon petition to the Court of Common Pleas, trans-
ferred the aggregate of the two funds to the Fidelity Trust Com-
pany, we believe, which still holds the money for the purposes
intended. Eventually, no doubt, a monument to Washington
will be erected with it. The fund held by the Society of the
Cincinnati has nothing to do with it. The Pennsylvania branch
of that society about 1811 resolved to build a monument to
Washington. The amount they collected was too small for the
purpose. The fund now aggregates §112,500; and at the meet-
ing of the society lately it was said that the association intends
soon to commence its monument, and hopes to have it finished
in the year 1881. It will be the momuncnt of the Society of
the Cincinnati to General George Washington, the first president-
general of that society. As the city fund is also increasing, the

Washington and FranJcUn Squares. 231

probability is that there will be, in this city, some years hence,
two monuments to Washington, in addition to the one in front
of the State House built with funds raised by the school-chil-
dren.

Franklin Square for a long time remained a very unattractive
spot ; the ground was low, wet, and marshy. Great holes were
dug in it to get clay for making bricks, and in these holes ponds
of water settled. Part of the square was used as a potters' field ;
another part had a powder-magazine built upon it during the
Revolutionary War, which afterward was used as a storehouse
for oil for lighting the public lamps. There was a path through
it, extending Seventh street across the square. There was a por-
tion of the square at the north-east corner used by a German
congregation for a burial-ground ; a suit occurred between Al-
burger vs. the congregation, and the lines were described in the
decision of the Supreme Court.

BeeWs Hollow, p. 407. — A portion of this creek or watercourse
was exposed to view in 1853, when digging for the foundation of
Moses Thomas's auction-rooms on Fourth street above Walnut,
and extending back to Whalebone alley. Another portion of the
culvert through it was exposed to view July, 1854, when digging
the cellar for the office of the Schuylkill Navigation Company on
the site of the Scotch Presbyterian Church (formerly Marshall's),
pulled down for the purpose. A full account of this church,
written by John McAllister, whose father was formerly an active
member, was published.

P. 408. Who was the original surveyor of the city? and
when was the original survey made?

Norris's House, now the U. 8. Custom-House, p. 408. — Norris's
house was built about 1750 by Charles Norris, son of Isaac
Norris and brother of Isaac Norris, Jr. It was elegant and
substantial, sixty feet front, with a balcony around a flat roof.
It was a double house of three stories high, and had wide halls
running each way through the house. The side-hall opened on
either side to wide piazzas. The main staircase was very grand,
constructed of polished cherry-wood, having the appearance of
mahogany. His daughter Deborah married Dr. George Logan,
and was a highly intelligent woman, very methodical in her
habits in later life, and often loaned my father from her stores
of valuable papers. Her brother was Joseph Parker Norris,
formerly president of the Bank of Pennsylvania. This prop-
erty was sold to the Bank of the United States in 1819.

232 Annals of Philadelphia.

THE NEW PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Owing to the rai)id growth of the consolidated city, and the
immense business transacted in the various public offices and the
courts for many years past, the offices and courts have become
so crowded that the present ])ublic buildings have become en-
tirely inadequate, and the city has been obliged to scatter the
offices into buildings in different parts of the city and at what-
ever cost for rent. Besides, the question of insecurity of the val-
uable public records and documents became yearly a more press-
ing one, in addition to the delay and trouble to the people in
transacting necessary public business. The question of new
public buildings had been agitated for many years, and various
sites were mentioned, such as the old Walnut Street Prison lot,
on the south-east corner of Sixth and Walnut streets ; the Wal-
nut street front of Independence Square ; Centre Square, at Broad
and Market streets, etc. Councils went so far toward using Inde-
pendence Square as to pass a bill for the erection there of the new
buildings in December, 1868. Finally, in 1870, a law passed
the State Legislature authorizing the erection of new public
buildings for the use of the city on any location that might be
decided upon by popular vote of the citizens. At an election
held shortly after, in which great feeling was exhibited by the
partisans of the two leading sites of Independence and Centre
Squares, it was decided the buildings should be erected on Centre
Square. Then arose another question, which perhaps called forth
still more decided, and at times more acrimonious, expression —
that whether the proposed structure should be one large building
at the intersection of the four squares, or a separate building on
each of the four squares. The advocates of one large building
conquered, and two of the finest streets in the city were spoiled
by the obstruction of them by the present costly, but elegant,
substantial, and magnificent edifice. Even at the present day,
when millions have been spent upon it, and it has risen to half
the height intended, there are parties who urge that it would be
cheaper and more expedient to tear it all down, and begin anew
on each separate square, than to finish the single building. The
four squares were originally in one. When the distributing res-
ervoir of the water-works was in Penn Square, the enclosure w^as
oval in form, and Market and Broad streets were continued around
it. The Centre House, so called, was precisely at the intersection
of Broad and Market streets.

If finished, as originally proposed, of granite and marble, the
new city building will cost many millions beyond the first esti-
mate of ten millions, and occupy many a long year in its com-
pletion. A special tax is assessed yearly for funds to carry it
up. When finished it will be the noblest and most expensive

The New Public Buildings. 233

structure in the United States, as well as the highest in the world
to the summit and figure on the tower.

Ground was broken for the purpose on August 16th, 1871 ;
the corner-stone was laid July 4, 1874, Benj. Harris Brewster
having been the orator on the occasion. The architect is John
McArthur. The building is a range of offices and rooms, in
number five hundred and twenty, occupying four sides of a
square, and enclosing an open courtyard two hundred feet square
in extent, suitable for holding public raeetiugs aud affording
plenty of light and air. This courtyard is entered from the two
streets by four noble entrance-ways adorned with fine sculptures.
The dimensions of the building are 470 feet from east to west,
and 486J feet from north to south, covering an area, exclusive
of the courtyard, of nearly four and a half acres. Its founda-
tions, Virginia granite, each block weighing several tons, are
built upon a solid bed of concrete eight feet thick. The mate-
rials consumed in the foundations were 74,000 cubic feet of cement
concrete; 636,400 cubic feet of foundation stone; 800,000 bricks;
70,000 cubic feet of dressed granite ; and 366 tons of iron, in-
cluding floor beams. The excavation for the cellars and founda-
tions required the removal of 141,500 cubic yards of earth.

The superstructure consists of a basement story eighteen feet
in height, a principal story of thirty-six feet, and an ui)pGr story
of thirty-one feet, surmounted by another of fifteen feet in the
mansard roof. The small rooms opening upon the courtyard are
each subdivided in height into two stones, thus using all the
space. Above the basement story, which is of Old Dominion
granite, the face of the building is of fine white marble beauti-
fully sculptured and adorned with columns. From the north
side rises a grand tower, which will be the most conspicuous ob-
ject when approaching the city, as from its great height of four
hundred and fifty feet it will be visible a great distance. The
foundations of the tower are built upon a bed of solid concrete
eight feet thick, laid at the depth of twenty feet below the sur-
face of the ground ; and its walls, which are at the base twenty-
two feet in thickness, are built of dressed Virginia granite, the
blocks weighing from two to five tons each. This substantial
tower is 90 feet square at the base, falling off at each story until
it becomes, at the spring of the dome, an octagon 50 feet in diam-
eter. A statue of William Penn 24 feet in height will crown it.

The space surrounding the building and the two wide sti'eets
stretching away from the four sides will enable it to be seen to
great advantage. It is surrounded by a grand avenue 135 feet
wide on the southern, eastern, and western fronts, and 205 feet
wide on the northern front. There will be a grand staircase in
each of the four corners of the building, and one in each of the
centre pavilions or entrances on the four sides. Besides these
there will be four large elevators placed at the intersections of

20*

234 Annals of Philadelphia.

the leacling corridors to make easy access to the rooms in every
part. A wide corridor, running round the centre of the whole
building and on each story, gives access to rooms on either hand.
The 520 rooms wiFl be fitted with every possible convenience
in heat, light, and ventilation, and the whole structure is as
fireproof" and indestructible as art can make it.

The building will be occupied by the State and city courts of
law, mayor, City Councils, and munici})al officers of varied funo-
tions, concentrating all the business of the city under one roof.
All of the de{)artments now existing will be abundantly supplied,
and a vast amount of surplus room will be left for judicial and
other city archives, as M'ell as for all outgrowing wants of the
large city Philadelphia will become.

The contrast between this superb structure and that of the old
State House is very great. In 1744 there were 1500 houses and
13,000 inhabitants, and the State House cost about £6000, and
answered for State as well as city purposes. In 1876 there were
155,000 buildings, of which 143,936 were dwellings, and a pop-
ulation of 817,448, and the city buildings Avill probably cost
fifteen milUons of dollars!

THE PROGRESS OF PHILADELPHIA.

In 1838 the subject of new public buildings for the city was
actively discussed and public meetings were held ; the principal
idea discussed was whether they should be erected on Independ-
ence Square or Centre Squares. The latter spot was thought of
as far back as 1833. The late Nicholas Biddle in that year
spoke of the advantages of Centre Square. The late Timothy
Caldwell was the builder of the houses at the south-west corner
of Walnut and Schuylkill Eighth streets (now Fifteenth street)
in that year, and they were built with basements below for the
purpose of offices, the same as the dwellings on the south and
west of the South- West Penn Square. In the spring of 1836 a
large meeting was held at the County Court-house, Sixth and
Chestnut streets, at Avhich I think the Hon. James Harjier pre-
sided ; and the builders and mechanics of that day were very
enthusiastic in support of Penn Square. Such men as William
Hause, James Leslie, .lohn Gilder, John Northrop, John Lind-
say, ]\Iatthew Arrison, and others who still survive them, took
an active part at that time in favor of Penn Square.

The late Samuel Hazard, eminent as a statistician and historian
of the State and city, and who spent over eighty years of his life
in his native city, presented a series of facts bearing upon the
question at issue, and he \yas requested by the public meeting to
.allow it to be printed in pamphlet form. As it has become very

The Progress of Philadelphia. 235

scarce, and presents so many facts which may be of interest at
this time, when the same question has been so recently revived
and discussed, and is of so much value for its statistics, on which
calculations can be made by investors and property-owners, we
reprint it nearly entire, with the addition of a few notes (which
we insert in brackets) added by him in manuscrijit to the printed
copy. It will be seen how clear and correct his views were,
even in 1838, as to the future growth and importance of the city:

FACTS, ETC.

The question of the location of the new Public Build-
ings, which seems now to be seriously agitated, is one that
ought to be decided [but was not decided by the Public Build-
ings Commissioners till July 6, 1860; see papers of the next
day, the 7th] without any reference to personal interest, but
with entire regard to the convenience and accommodation of
those for whose use they are intended. This decision, the writer
believes, will be very much aided by noticing some of the facts
in relation to the progressive increase of the city up to this time
— its present condition and future prospects. After presenting
various facts on these several points, he will express his own
opinion with regard to the proper location of the buildings to be
ferected, and assign such reasons for it as, to himself at least,
appear satisfactory and conclusive. '

Let us, then, first take a survey of the condition of the city
about the period of the erection of the present State House. It
was commenced in 1729, and finished in 1734 or 1735, about
fifty years from the landing of William Penn, at an expense of
about £6000. At this time the depth of the lot was only about
half the present distance between Chestnut and AValnut streets,
and so continued till 1762, when the other portion toward Wal-
nut street was purchased. [See titles and plans of Square in
Hazard's Reg. of Pennsylvania, vol. ii. p. 232.] The surface of
the ground in the neighborhood was very uneven and irregular,
being more elevated than now, and it was surrounded with com-
mons, duck-ponds, and creeks, in which some of our citizens who
have died within a few years remembered catching perch and
other fishes.

The city was in 1704 divided into ten wards, which division,
so far as known to the writer, continued until 1800. [It was
divided into fifteen wards in 1825.] The eastern front, on the
Delaware, from Vine to Walnut, was in two divisions— viz.
Lower and Upper Delaware Wards. Their western boundary
was Front street, High street being the dividing-line. Lower
Delaware contained in 1741 (six years after the State House was
finished) 115 taxables, and Upper Delaware Ward 99. From
Walnut to Mulberry street and from Front to Second street con-
tained three wards— viz. W^alnut, Chestnut, and High. The

236 Annals of Philadelphia.

first contained, in 1741, 98 taxables; the second, 143; and the
third, 151. Mulberry Ward occupied the whole space between
Front and Seventh streets and Vine and Mulbcriy, and con-
tained in the same year 309 taxables. South, Middle, and
North Wards were formed out of the space between Muliierry
and Walnut and Second and Seventh. South Ward, in which
stood the State House, contained, in 1741, 105 taxables; Middle
Ward, 236 ; and Xorth Ward, 182, Dock Ward embraced all
the jiortion of the city between the Delaware and Seventh street
and Walnut and Cedar, and contained in the same year 183 tax-
ables. The whole number of taxables in the city at this time
(1741) was only 1621. [In 1744 there were 1500 houses and
13,000 inhabitants.— J/m. Com. C, 1704-76, p. 94.]

We have no detailed earlier account of the number of houses
than 1749, when several respectable gentlemen (Dr. Franklin
being one) undertook the task of making it. It was as follows :

Mulberry Ward, . . . .488
North " .... 196

Middle " .... 238

South "(State House). 117

Dock " .... 245

Making the total number of houses in the city in 1749, 1864,
besides 11 places of worship.

Twenty years after — to wit, in 1769 — we have another enu-
meration, when it appears there were 3318 houses, being an in-
crease of 1454, This increase was principally in Dock, Mul-
berry, and North Wards. South Ward, in which the State
House was located, had only thirty houses added to it in those
twenty years.

In 1777, when the British were in possession of the city. Gen-
eral Howe directed Lord Cornwallis to take a particular account
of the houses, stores, and inhabitants in each ward; which being
accomplished, the result was published. The following is the
result of the number of houses, to which we add the increase in
each ward for the 28 years since the above was taken in 1749 :

[Mulberry Ward, . . . . . 1096, increase 608

Walnut Ward, . . .

. 104

Chestnut "...

. 110

High "...

. 147

Lower Delaware Ward,

. 110

Upper

. 109

North

" 427

231

Middle

" 371

133

South
Dock

" (State House), . 160
" 1016

43
771

Walnut

" 110

Chestnut

" 118

High
Lower Del

" ..... 193
aware Ward, . .123

46
13

Upper

" " . . 249

140

Houses, 3863

1999 in 28 years

The Progress of Philadelphia. 237

The reason why Walnut, Chestnut, High and Lower Delaware
did not proportionally increase with the other wards probably is,
that, being small wards and convenient to the river business, they
were filled up at first, and had not room for further additions.

We will now inquire into the number of inhabitants at several
periods.

In 1744 the population of the city was estimated by Secretary
Peters at 13,000, though it appears by a statement that in 1753
there were 14,563; in 1760, 18,756; in 1769, 28,042; and in
1777, General Howe made it but 15,847. But as he found 383
houses empty, the probability is many of the inhabitants had fled
from the city on the approach of the British.

About the year 1774 the Walnut Street Prison was built.

With regard to the early commerce of the city we are in pos-
session of but few facts. It appears that in

1722,

10 vessels

428 tons

were bui

1723,

507

1724,

959

((

And in 1722,

3531

cleared.

1723,

3942

((

1724,

119

5450

((

1725,

140

6655

And in 1728-29, 14 ships, 3 snows, 8 brigs, 2 schooners, and
9 sloops were frozen up at the docks at one time.

The trade with Great Britain formed at this time, probably,
the largest portion of the commerce of the city. The imports
and exports for a few years will furnish some idea of its extent :

Exports.

Imj)orts.

1729,

£sL 7,434 16s,

.Id.

£ St. 29,799 10s. lOd

1730,

10,582 1

48,592 7 5

1731,

12,786 11

44,260 16 1

1732,

8,524 12

41,698 13 7

1733,

14,776 19

40,565 8 1

In 1729 a mail went to New York once in two weeks in winter,
and once a week in summer.

In 1735, 199 vessels entered and 212 cleared,
1736, 211 " " 215 "

1742, 230 " " 281 "

so that the commerce of the city had somewhat increased in the
seven years.

The exports from Great Britain were, in 1742, £8527 12s. 8d.,
and the imports were £75,295 3s. M. sterling.

In 1777 the number of stores, as ascertained by Lord Corn-
wallis, was 315 — viz. in —

238

Annals of Philadelphia.

Mulberr

y^Ward, . . . .17

Walnut Ward, . . .

. 5

North

.... 28

Chestnut " ...

. 8

Middle

" .... 15

High " ...

. 6

South

" (State House) 9

Lower Delaware Ward,

. 100

Dock

.... 55

Upper "

. 72

which shows that business was principally confined to the neigh-
borhood of the river.

\\e have now brought down our historical sketch of the city to
the period of the Revolution, embracing about one hundred years
from its settlement, and have shown how slow Avas its progress,
which the circumstances of the succeeding ten years were not cal-
culated to hasten.

In 1784, the year after the peace, the imports from Great Brit-
ain amounted to £689,491 9s. 9c/. sterlins:, and in 1785 thev fell
to £369,215 8s. 5d. The exports in 1784 were £70,263 10s. 9c/.,
and in 1785, £57,705 6s. 5c/. sterling.

In 1783 the number of houses w^as estimated at 6000, and in
1790 at 6651 ; and the population, as ascertained by the Con-
gressional census of that year, was 28,522. Up to this year, and
for several years beyond it, as will be seen presently, the improve-
ments did not extend even to Seventh street, the then western
limit of the wards.

Since commencing this article an aged citizen informed the
writer that " he well remembers when a certain'house (still stand-
ing [pulled down in 1848 and new stores built by Wright &
Son]) was erected in INIarket above Fifth street, 1792, the owner
was almost considered as deranged for placing his building so far
beyond the seat of civilization."

"The ground forming the square from Chestnut to Walnut
street, and from Sixth to Seventh, was all a grass-meadow, under
fence, down to the year 1794. On the Chestnut street side it was
high and had steps of ascent cut into the bank, and across it went
a footpath as a short cut to the almshouse out Spruce street. The
only houses to be seen were the low brick building, once the
Loganian Library, on Sixth street, and the Episcopal Academy,
built in 1780, on Chestnut street." "The next square beyond,
westward, was Norris's pasture-lot." " On the north-west corner
of Chestnut and Seventh streets [on this has stood several houses,
since pulled down, and many owners have long since gone to their
fathers. Dr. B. S. Barton, the celebrated botanist, lived next
westward of the Masonic Hall, afterward burned down, then re-
built, and now occupied by the new Masonic Temple : Washing-
ton Hotel stands east of it, 1856] was a high grass-lot. in a rail
fence, extending halfway to Eighth street. Except one or two
brick houses at the corner of Eighth street you met no other house
to Schuylkill." "There were no houses built out Arch or Race

The Progress of Philadelphia. 239

street, save here and there a mean low box of wood beyond Sixth
street.

" When the Roman Catholic Church at the corner of Sixth and
Spruce streets [nearly destroyed by fire June 23 (?), 1860, occa-
sioned by boys setting off fire-crackers] was built, it was deemed
far out of town — a long and muddy walk, for there were no
streets paved near to it, and no houses were then nigh. From
this neighborhood to the Pennsylvania Hospital, then having its
front of access on its eastern gate, was quite beyond civilization.
There were not streets enough marked through the waste lots in
the western parts of the city to tell a traveler on what square he
M'as traveling." "We shall be within bounds to say that twenty-
five years ago (1805) so few owners enclosed their lots toward
Schuylkill that the street-roads of Walnut, Spruce, and Pine
streets could not be traced by the eye beyond Broad street, and
even it was then known but upon paper drafts."

Birch's Views of the City in 1800 confirm the above account.
For between the President's house [since pulled down] on Ninth
street, now the University, and the almshouse on Spruce street,
there is no intervening object. The writer of this well remem-
bers when the whole of that square, in which stood Markoe's
house, was enclosed by a post-and-rail fence, and almost the only
house west of it was Dunlap's [since pulled down. After stand-
ing as a vacant grass-lot, surrounded by a board fence, the whole
square was left by Girard to the city and built u})on with stores
and dwellings for the support of the Girard College. Girard
street runs east and west through it], at the corner of Twelfth and
Market streets.

Our attention has thus far been directed entirely to the limits
of the city proper. Let us now look at some few facts respecting
the suburbs and the county.

In 1749 there were in the Northern Liberties 62 houses. In
1769 there were 553 houses, and in 1777 there were 1286, and
35 stores and 5015 inhabitants. In 1790 they had increased to
8337.

In 1749 there were in Southwark 150 houses. In 1769 there
were 603 houses, and in 1777, 836, and 6 stores and 2872 inhab-
itants. In 1790 they had increased to 5661. Passyunk con-
tained in that year 884, and Moyamensing 1592 inhabitants.

From the returns of members to the General Assembly we
have the followino; account of the hio;hest and lowest number of
votes given at elections in the county for several years about the
time of the erection of the State House. The county at this time
extended to the southern limit of Berks, and embraced the whole
of Montgomery county.

1727, highest vote 787, lowest 482

1728, " " 971, " 487

1730,

higliest

vote 622,

1732,

((

" 904,

1734,

((

" 721,

1735,

" 1097,

1736,

((

" 719,

1738,

" 1306,

1739,

" 555,

240 Annals of Philadelphia,

622, lowest 365

' 559

■' 441

' 517

' 439

" 736

'' 332

In 1741 the number of taxables in the county was 3422, and
in 1760, 5687, and the county tax was £5653 19s. 6c?. Within
the county there were 83 grist-mills, 40 saw, 6 paper, 1 oil, 12
fulling, 1 horse, and 1 wind-mill, and 6 forges.

In 1779 there were 7066 taxables in the county.
1786 " 4516 " " "

1793 " 6885 " " "

1800 " 7919 " " "

About the year 1800 the improvements began to extend west
of Seventh street in some of the principal streets. In 1802, as
we learn from the dates on the houses, the improvements were
made on the square between Chestnut and Walnut and Seventh
and Eighth, on the ruins of the immense edifice of Robert Morris,
which had been commenced a few years previously. From this
time buildings began to be erected with some spirit in various
directions, as the following table of the houses built in the respec-
tive years will show :

In 1802

464—21 W. of Twelfth street.

In 1834

361

1803

385 35 " "

1835

465

1804

273

1836

369

1809

1295

1837

245

How many of these were erected in the western part of the city
we are unable to ascertain precisely, but we know that a great
number of those erected within the last few years have been
built beyond Broad street. And, indeed, an inspection of the
houses in that quarter will show that they almost all present an
appearance of very late erection.

Let us now take a summary view of some facts relating to the
present condition of the city, by which it may be compared with
the past.

The taxables in the city in 1835 were 18,449, and in the county,
31,798. The number of inhabitants probably 100,000 in the city
— at the general election in that year the highest vote was 5532,
in the county 6048, and the united highest vote of both 11,596.
In the year ending September, 1836, there were built 74 vessels
of 10,214 tons. The amount of tonnage owned was 91,905
tons ; 407 vessels entered, tonnage 89,485 ; and 350 cleared,
64,019. Imports, $15,068,233; exports, $3,971,555. The whole

The Progress of Philadelphia. 241

number of arrivals, including coastwise, in 1837 was 8185. Val-
uation of city, $68,528,742 ; county, $56,521,225. An immense
trade with the west — all the principal streets paved from the
Delaware to Schuylkill with comfortable foot-pavements, ligfited
by night with lamps and gas, and the whole city sup})lied with
pure and wholesome water — omnibuses [very few omnibuses are
now to be seen, their places being chiefly supplied by passenger
railway cars in all directions at the moderate rate of five cents ;
cars to Germantown, Manayunk, and Frankford, ten to fifteen
cents, 1860] to convey persons from river to river, and railways
connected with the northern and southern portions of the county
and Avith the heart of the city. Such is the present state of the
city ; how different from what it was at the periods we have al-
ready noticed !

That the city has been extending westwardly with great rapid-
ity is proved by the following facts :

1. The limits of the wards have been twice altered since the
census of 1790— viz. in 1800 and 1825.

2. The number of taxables in the eastern wards between 1828
and 1835 decreased 836, while in the western they increased in
the same time 2743.

3. The valuation of property in the eastern wards only increased
between 1829 and 1835, $30,061, while that in the western in-
creased $3,178,650, as by the following tables:

Eastern. 1829. 1835. [1841.

New Market, . . . 1,264,469 1,045,398 2,472,818

Lower Delaware, . .1,593,733 1,653,855 3,357,725

Pine, 1,257,165 1,168,520 2,193,150

Upper Delaware, . . 1,261,635 1,287,141 2,726,150

Ciiestnut, .... 3,106,572 3,228,078 6,228,976

Walnut, 2,240,299 2,254,793 4,212,374

High, 2,949,362 3,192,825 6,865,050

Dock, 1,921,924 1,794,610 4,236,050

15,595,159 15,625,220 32,292,293
Increase, 30,061 16,667,073

Wester'n,

North, 1,711,745 2,163,838 4,770,771

S. Mulberry, . . . 1,069,534 1,393,006 3,582,218

Locust, 1,655,472 2,004,173 4,222,800

N. Mulberry, . . . 716,918 1,051,050 2,609,205

Middle, 1,357,545 1,858,037 3,785,345

South, 1,467,345 1,983,305 4,284,954

Cedar, 629,068 1,332,868 3,957,121

8,607,627 11,786,277 27,212,414
Increase, 3,178,650 15,426,137]

Vol. III.— Q 21

242 Annals of Philadelphia.

4. The population, according to the census of 1830, of the
eastern wards was only 5456 greater than of the western.

5. The comparative increase of taxes of the eastern and
western w^ards from 1832 to 1836, as appears by the following
tables :

Eastern, 1832. 1836.

New Market, .... $6,768.63 $7,113.01

Lower Delaware, . . . 10,260.79 11,095.52

Pine, 7,145.41 7,859.32

Upper Delaware, . . . 8,049.25 8,676.42

Chestnut, 19,895.03 21,080.68

Walnut, 13,227.21 14,470.87

High 19,954.00 20,908.77

Dock, 12,896.44 12,025.96

$98,196.76 $103,230.55
Western.

North, $11,391.47 $14,220.61

S. Mulberry, 7,651.75 9,376.65

Locust, 11,293.88 13,543.60

N. Mulberry, .... 5,598.39 7,237.67

Middle, 9,581.12 12,393.79

South, 11,194.29 13,095.06

Cedar, 5,269.79 8,797.42

$61,980.69 $78,664.80

From the foregoing it appears that the tax on property in the
eastern wards amounts to $5,033.79 more in 1835 than it did in
1832, while the tax on property in the western wards has in the
same time increased $16,684,11 — being in the first case an in-
crease of 5.12 per cent, on the taxes of 1832, and in the latter
an increase of 26.82 per cent.

There are two causes which naturally lead to the increase of
the city westward :

1. The increase of population, and the greater space now re-
quired for the transaction of business than formerly, M'hen most
of the houses were occupied both as stores and dwellings; whereas
now, in many streets, the whole tenement is used entirely as a
store, and its former inmates have sought residences in other
parts of the city. These, again, by the gradual extension of
business, have been compelled to leave what they had first se-
lected as private and retired residences for others still farther
toward the west.

2. Another reason is the actual increase of business on the
western border of the city, of which we shall speak more
presently.

That the city must continue to extend in a western direction
will, we think, appear from the following remarks:

The Progress of Philadelphia. 24S

1. There is but comparatively little room in the eastern
wards for further improvements. In 1790, when the first U. S.
census was taken, the dimensions of the whole city, divided
among the inhabitants, gave to each person 1755 square feet; in
1800 the space to each was reduced to 1216, in 1810 to 933, in
1820 to 786, and in 1830 to 623 feet each. Upon the same
principle, the following table shows the average of the western
and eastern wards :

Eastern. Western.

1800 — 373 square feet. 2109 square feet to each.

1810—349 1359

1820—340 1058
1830—313 979

2. The great and rapidly increasing trade with tlie West, and
the various methods used for extending and accommodating it in
the western part of the city, will undoubtedly in a few years
cover the already contracted western wards with houses and pop-
ulation. That William Penn, in his great wisdom and foresight,
regarded such an event as certain is evident from the following
expressions used by him in his letter, dated 16th of 6 mo., 1683,
to a committee of the " Society of Free Traders " in London.
Comparing the two rivers, he says : " Delaware is a glorious
river, but Schuylkill, being a hundred miles boatable above the
falls, and its course N, E. toward the fountain of Susquehannah
that tends to the heart of the Province, and both sides our own,
it is like to be a great part of the settlement of this age."

And in 1690 he actually issued proposals for building another
city, " upon the river Susquehannah that runs into the Bay of
Chesapeake, and bears about 50 miles from the river Dela-
ware."

" There " (says he) " I design to lay out a plan for the build-
ing of another city in the most convenient place for communi-
cation, with the former plantations on the East, which by land
is as good as done already, a way being laid out between the
two rivers, very exactly and conveniently, at least three years
ago; and which will not be hard to do by M^ater, by the benefit
of the river Scoulkill, for a branch of that river lies near a branch
that runs into Susquehannagh River, and is the common course
of the Indians with their SUins and Furrs into our parts, and to
the provinces of East and West Jersey, and New York, from the
West and North-west parts of the continent from whence they
bring them."

" But that which recommends both this settlement in par-
ticular and the province in general, is a late pattent obtained by
divers eminent Lords and gentlemen for that land that lies north
of Pennsylvania, up to the ^6Y/i degree and an half, because their

244 Annals of Philadelphia.

Traffic and intercourse will be chiefly through Pennsylvania
which lies between that province and the sea. We have also the
comfort of being the cenb^e of all the English Colonies upon the
continent of America, as they lie from the N. E. parts of New
England to the most Southerly 2^^-''^^ of Carolina, being above
1000 miles upon the coast."

Although William Penn did not live long enough to see the
fulfilment of all his extended and pleasing anticipations, yet we,
his descendants, are now realizing and benefiting by their accom-
plishment.

We have now, in connection with State canals and railroads, a
regular communication with Pittsburg, forming together a length
of 401 miles, and thus opening in every direction a trade with
the great West to an almost unlimited extent, "passing through
the heart of our own State," where but a few years since the
savage roamed and murdered the almost defenceless settlers. In
1753 in Pittsburg itself, now called the "Gate of the West,"
there was not a single white man residing. In 1770 there were
but about twenty houses, inhabited by Indian traders. In 1793
the arrival of a keel-boat was considered one of the greatest
enterprises ever performed. In 1804 it was a village ; in 1805
the first stage crossed the mountains, requiring seven days of
hard labor to reach that city. In 1833 there were four daily
stages; in 1834 the journey was performed in fifty-seven hours.
It now probably contains 40,000 inhabitants. In 1834 there
were 120 steam-engines in operation, and 1634 steamboats
arrived and departed, and the city business is estimated at fifteen
to twenty millions of dollars per annum. "It communicates
with upward of 50,000 miles of steam navigation of the vast
and fertile valley of the Mississippi, extending over a surface
near 1500 miles square."

Besides the State roads and canals, there are others, or soon
will be, in every direction, either uniting with them or entering
at other points the western portion of the city [these (or many of
them) are now in operation, 1860], among which is the important
one just being completed between this city and Baltimore.

With all these facilities of intercourse, and with such an extent
of country to be supplied through their instrumentality, who can
pretend to limit the extent of business which must ultimately be
concentrated in this western quarter of the city? These works
and this trade are all comparatively in their infancy. Who can
foretell what other channels and sources of business may be
developed in the course of their progress which are now un-
thought of?

The time is probably not very distant when all the business
connected with the West will be transacted in that quarter of the
city, and when vessels will at once enter the Schuylkill with their
foreign cargoes and receive in return the AVestern produce ; for it

The Progress of Philadelphia. 245

is not reasonable to suppose that the wholesale stores which sup-
ply the groceries and dry goods intended to be sent off by the
Western canals and railroads will always be alone found in the
eastern portion of the city, when suitable accommodations for
their business can be provided in the very quarter from which
the goods are to be forwarded to their destination; especially as
the iieavy charges of porterage and commissions for forwarding,
and the delay in sending merchandise to this point, may be
avoided ; each river will most probably have its appropriate
sphere of business. In times of a brisk commerce the wharves
of the Delaware have been found scarcely sufficient for the ac-
commodation of the vessels. We have seen them lying two or
three abreast, waiting for their turns for an inside berth ; and
that day may again arrive. And we already see that the wharves
as yet constructed on the Schuylkill afford but partial accom-
modation for tiie small business, compared with what it must
before many years be, which it now enjoys ; so that both rivers
may be necessary to meet the demands of connnerce, and both
sides of the Schuylkill, if its trade extend as rapidly as it has
done for the past ten years.

With such prospects before us, and with all these facts staring
us in the face, we cannot but think it would be unwise to erect
buildings which are to accommodate the citizens for centuries
perhajis to come in the very neighborhood selected when there
were but 1621 taxables in the city, and but 105 in the very
ward in which the State House stands, and but 117 houses even
fifteen years after its erection. If, therefore, we are to regard at
all in this matter the future population of the city, as well as
the present, the public buildings ought to be placed in some
central position, as nearly equally accessible to all as possible ;
and we are decidedly of the opinion (without having any personal
interest as regards property) that Penn Square is the proper
place for them, both with a view to the present as well as future
generations ; and for the following reasons :

1. The city already owns that property, and it was given to it
for the very purpose; and was no doubt selected by Penn with
his usual foresight and wisdom, having regard to the future
accommodation of both sections of the city. It is described as
follows : " In the centre of the city is a square of ten acres, at
each angle to build houses for public affairs." "In the middle
of the city, from side to side, of the like breadth in the centre of
the city, is a square of ten acres ; at each angle are to be houses
for i)ublic affairs, as a Meeting House, Assembly, or State House,
Market House, Schoolhouse, and several other buildings for
public concerns." The inference from which is, that this was
the only site designed by Penn, even in these early days, for the
public buildings.

2. The price of purchase of another site would be equivalent

21*

246

Annals of Philadelphia.

probably to the expense of erecting a new building, which the
city may as well save.

3. It will probably be as convenient to the present population
as anv other situation ; for,

1. The greater number of taxable inhabitants reside within
the limits of the western Avards, as is shown by the following
table ; for the sake of comparison a table of taxables in 1828 is

added

Eastern Wards. 1828.

New Market, 1452

Lower Delaware, 1501

Pine, 1020

Upper Delaware, 1216

Chestnut, 821

Walnut, 1117

High, 914

Dock, 863

1835.

1472

1285
869

1142
837
739
825
899

Western Wards.
North, . . .
South Mulberry,
Locust, . . .
North Mulberry,
Middle, . . .
South, . .
Cedar, . . .

8904

8068

1393

1710

1051

1230

1364

1659

1011

1470

774

1023

599

1103

1446

2186

7638 10381

Thus we see that there are 2313 more taxpayers, and probably
propertv-holders, in the western wards than in the eastern, and
that wliile the western increased 2743, tlie eastern decreased 836.
2. The largest portion of the population resides in the western
wards, as the following table will show, based upon the calculation
of five inhabitants to one taxable — which proportion has been
ascertained to be about correct — as compared with the census
tables. At the census of 1830 there were only 5456 more per-
sons in the eastern than in the western wards :

Western Wards.

7360 North, 8550

6425 South Mulberry, . . . 6150

Eastern Wards.
New Market, . . .
Lower Delaware, . .

Pine, 4345 Locust^

Ul)per Delaware, .
Chestnut, . . .
Walnut, ....

High,

Dock,

5710
. 4185
. 3695
. 4125
. 4495

40340

. 8295

North Mulberry, . . . 7350

Middle,. . .' . . . 5115

South, 5515

Cedar, 10930

51905

Tlie Progress of PJiiladelphia. 247

Showing- a difference of population in favor of the western wards
of 11,565 in 1835, which has since been increased. What will it
be by the time the buildings are finished, if commenced at once?
It is believed, from some examination into the subject, that most
of the judges of the courts, as well as lawyers, reside in the west-
ern wards. [Since this was written (it is believed) the mode
of district voting has been adopted. Before, it was all done at
the State House, much to the inconvenience of voters, who had
to Avait hours perhaps before their turn at the window came.
Much confusion and quarrelling frequently occurred, which are
now prevented, with the results that the votes are much sooner
ascertained at the closing of the polls, and the distance to be
travelled by voters is much diminished.]

3. The valuation of property in the two portions of the city does
not present so great a difference as might be imagined.

In 1835 the eastern were assessed at $15,625,220

" " " western " " 11,786,277

Difference, $3,838,943

But it is well known that the most important improvements in
the western wards have taken place since that assessment. The
assessment now in progress would probably exhibit a very differ-
ent result. From 1829 to 1835 the eastern wards only increased
in value $30,061, while the western gained $3,178,650.

4. By means of the railroads, which will all centre at this
point, it will be more convenient to residents in the northern
parts of the city and county, as well as in the southern, to come
to Penn Square, than it will be for the inhabitants of the western
wards to go to the neighborhood of the present State House ; and
certainly much more so than it was for the inhabitants at the
lower end of the very ward where the State House stands for
sixty or seventy years after it was erected.

5. The city has a direct interest in placing the State House in
Penn Square besides that of owning it. It will be the means
of extending improvements in every direction, by which not only
the city revenue from taxes will be augmented, thereby refund-
ing the large expenditures heretofore made for paving, lighting,
and furnishing water to this portion of the city, hitherto solely
for the convenience of the eastern population, but the value of
the city property in this quarter will be much enhanced, and
they have at this time a large interest here and in the neighbor-
hood— viz. the Girard buildings from Market to Chestmit, the
city stores, wharves, gas-works, unimproved property, and water-
works on the Schuylkill, public squares, Girard College, Will's
Hospital, markets, etc. which would all be benefited. [These
improvements have been continually advancing west, houses west
of Broad street are being converted into stores, and many persons
who resided there are moving to Germantown, West Philadel-

248 Aivials of Philadelphia.

phia, and other places, it being as convenient by the cars to live
there as formerly in the citv,]

6. The employment -which all the im])rovements consequent
on the occupation of Penn Square would furnish to thousands of
mechanics is an important consideration. Independent of those
who might be engaged about the public buildings (let them be
placed where they may be), the number of private and probably
other ]niblic buildings which would be erected in the west would
give bread to many a mechanic and laborer who knows not where
to i)rocure it at present.

7. The erection of these buildings on the prison lot* could not
])rodace any of these effects, except in a very limited degree.
There is no city property it would benefit; it might perhaps en-
hance a small portion of private i)roperty just in the neighbor-
hood ; it MT)uld furnish little more em))loyment than to those en-
gaged about the building, and it could not promote the general
improvement of the city. Moreover, the quantity of ground is
not sufficient for the purpose, and it is at the corner of streets,
from which there would be so much noise as to prevent the trans-
action of business by our courts, etc., as is the case now. The
location at Penn Square would not injure any public or private
])ro])erty on the eastern front, and being divided into four lots,
would admit of a more advantageous disposition of the public
buildings for the accommodation of the city, county, and even
State, if the Legislature, as they ought, should see fit to remove
to the city. Being probably on the highest ground of the citv,
and having no other buildings near them, they could be so placed
as to enjoy the greatest share of light and the freest circulation
of air; from the want of both of which our courts so much suffer.
Besides, the grounds might be tastefully improved in such man-
ner as to furnish to the citizens in the neighborhood a pleasant
and fashionable walk.

8. It has been, I think, suggested, that they might be erected
on Independence Square, either pulling down our venerable In-
dependence Hall and placing them in the centre, or allowing the
hall to remain and occupying the portion toward Walnut street.
AVith regard to the first plan, the great difficulty would be to ob-
tain the consent of the citizens. The next objection is, that there
is a provision in various acts of Assembly, passed in relation to
this Square, which says, "that no part of the ground lying to the
southward of the State House should be converted into or made
use of for erecting buildings, but that the same should be an open
jMiblic green and walk for ever." It would at least require the
aid of the Legislature, if even the consent of the citizens could be
jbtained, to occupy with buildings a Square so important to the
nealth of so dense a portion of the city.

* This refers to the lot on the south-east corner of Sixth and Walnut streets,
on which the Citv Prison stood. — W. P. II.

Tlie Progress of Philadelphia. 249

It has been objected that many of our public buildings and in-
stitutions are in the eastern part of the city — such as the Custom-
House [it now occupies the old Bank of the United States build-
ing; then it was in Second below Dock. The government has
lately purchased the building of the Bank of Pennsylvania in
Second street for a post-office, and the bank has purchased the
late United States Hotel for a new bank on Chestnut street be-
tween Fourth and Fifth streets. It is, however, projiosed to place
the Custom-House in the old bank, and take the Custom-House
for the Post-Office. 1856], Exchange, banks. Library, etc. With
regard to the Custom-House, we are now attemjiting to procure a
new and permanent one. Let it, then, be located farther west, for
in a few years it will be required for the business of both rivers ;
bfisides, as most of the merchants reside in the west, and visit
their stores daily, they can suffer little inconvenience on this score.
So also with the Exchange and banks. But all these institutions
or others will find locations where the wants of the greater por-
tion require them, and if any of the present institutions require
removal, the value of property in the eastern wards will no doubt
increase with the increasing business and population, so as to
justify their removal elsewhere. But many of our public insti-
tutions are already in the west. Of sixty-seven churches, twenty-
eight are west of Seventh street, some having been driven west
by the crowded and noisy state of the city, and others in pursuit
of their congregations ; and most of these are the largest and most
ornamental in the city. Most of the fashionable as well as best
schools, as well private as public, are in the west. The Univer-
sity, Mint, Masonic Hall, Musical Fund Hall, Deaf and Dumb
and Blind Institutions, Pennsylvania Hospital, Almhouse, Pres-
ton Retreat, Orphans' and Widows' Asylums, Wills' Hospital,
etc. etc., are all in the west, some of them seeking retirement,
from disturbance by a progressive population, in the country
near the city.

That the time for erecting new buildings has arrived is, I take
for granted, admitted by all. Judges, juries, lawyers, everybody,
seem to say so. Some think it too soon to place them in Penn
Square, but we certainly will be thought more wise than our fore-
fathers were when they planted the present building where it is —
inaccessible ])robably six months in the year. We are in precisely
opposite circumstances from them. Placed at the State House
Avhen first erected, scarcely a house might be seen ; placed now at
Penn Square, nothing else can be seen because of the houses. It
is convenient of access by day or by night ; good pavements,
lights by night, omnibus or railroad cars in every direction to suit
those who choose not to walk — of all which our forefathers knew
nothing. [The commissioners appointed to fix the location of the
public buildings decided, July 6th, 1860, to place them on Penn
Squares. Yeas. — Judges Stroud, Allison, Thompson, and Trego.

260

Annals of Philadelphia.

Nays. — Ciiyler, Henry, and Ludlow. Resigned, Judges Shars-
wood and Hare, two of the original commissioners,]

Having now, at much more length than I at first intended,
presented my views on the subject, I shall submit it to those
whose province it is to decide the question after hearing the ex-
pressed sentiments of their constituents.

The population of Philadelphia city and county (which latter
comprised the city proper and the districts of Xorthern Liberties,
Spring Garden, Penn Township, Kensington, Southwark, Moya-
mensing, Passyunk, and the rest of the county — viz. Blockley,
Bristol, Byberry, Frankford, Germantown, Kingsessing, Lower
Dublin, Moreland, Oxford, and Hoxborough) was by the census
of—

1790, 54,391, or 1 person to every 1755 sq. ft, ^

1800, 81,009, " 1 " " 1216 "

1810, 111,210, " 1 " " 933 "

1820, 137,097, " 1 " " 786 "

1830, 188,961,*" 1 " " 623 "

1840, 258,037,

1850, 408,762,

1860, 568,034,

1870, 674,022,

1876, 817,448.

In the la^t named year the number of dwellings was 143,936.

(For a thorough table of population of the city and county to
1830, see Hazard's Register, viii. 65-72 ; and see Amer. Jour.
Med. Science, i. 116, for the medical statistics of Philadelphia, by
Dr. Gouverueur Emerson.)

In the city
proper.

* An increase of 37.83 per cent, or 3.25 per cent, per annum, doubling in every
21.61 years.

Rohert Morris. 251

ROBERT MORRIS.

BY MRS. ABMINE NIXON HART.
(Centennial Collection.)

In presenting a brief memoir of the life of Robert Morris,
it is impossible to forget the biting sarcasm and sharp wit of
Rufus Choate's memorable toast: "Pennsylvania's two most
distinguished citizens — Robert Morris, a native of Great Britain,
and Benjamin Franklin, a native of Massachusetts." It is to
portray the life of one of these ^^ citizens" that I have been in-
vited here to-day.

Robert Morris, the Financier of the American Revolution,
was born in Liverpool, Kingdom of Great Britain, on the 20th
of January, 1733-'34, old style, or what would be, according to
the modern method of computation, January 31st, 1734. His
father, also Robert Morris, came to this country and settled at
Oxford on the eastern shore of Maryland prior to the year 1740.
He was there engaged in the tobacco trade as the factor of Fos-
ter Cunliffe, Esq., of England. His tombstone in Whitemarsh
burial-ground, Talbot County, Maryland, records that " A sa-
lute from the cannon of a ship, the wad fracturing his arm, was
the signal by which he departed greatly lamented, as he was es-
teemed, in the fortieth year of his age, on the 12th day of July,
MDCCL."

Robert, the son, at an early age came to Philadelphia, and en-
tered the counting-house of Mr. Charles Willing, one of the first
merchants of his day, and subsequently in 1754, at the age of
twenty, formed a coj)artnership with his son, Thomas Willing,
which lasted until 1793, a period of thirty-nine years, and the
firm of Willing & Morris became the best known and largest
importing house in the colonies. In October, 1765, upon the
arrival of the " Royal Charlotte," carrying the obnoxious
stamped paper for the colonies, a town meeting was held at the
State House to prevent the landing of the stamps, and a com-
mittee was appointed to wait upon John Hughes, the stamp dis-
tributor, and demand his resignation of the office. On this com-
mittee Mr. Morris was appointed, and from Hughes's letters* it
would appear that he and James Tilghman were the spokesmen
on the occasion. Later in tlie same year Mr. Morris signed the
Non-Importation Resolutions and Agreement of the Merchants
of Philadelphia, and in January, 1766, was appointed one of
the first wardens of the port of Philadelphia by the Assembly
of Pennsylvania. Upon the formation of a Committee of Safety
for the iProvince, in June, 1775, Mr. Morris was made vice-
president, Franklin being the head, and continued in the office
until the dissolution of the Committee, in July, 1776.
* Hazard's Register, 247.

252 Annals of Philadelphia.

The appointment of Mr. Morris by the Assembly of Penn-
sylvania on the 3d of November, 1775, as one of the delegates
to the second Congress, then in session at Philadelphia since May
10th, was liis first entrance into imjwrtant ])ublic life. Soon af-
ter he had taken his seat he was added to and made chairman of
the Secret Committee, which had been selected in September to
contract for the importation of arms and ammunition. On the
11th of December he was designated as one of the committee to
devise ways and means for furnishing the colonies with a naval
armament, and su])sequently, on the formation of a naval com-
mittee, he was made a member. In April, 1776, Mr. Morris
Avas specially commissioned to negotiate bills of exchange, and
to take other measures to procure money for the Congress. When
Richard Henry Lee's resolution of June 7th came up for final
action on July 2d, the day we celebrate, he, with John Dickin-
son, Thomas Willing, and Charles Humphreys, voted against
independence ; and afterward, on the Fourth, when the Decla-
ration was submitted for approval, he and Dickinson absented
themselves from their seats in Congress. His action was of
course much commented upon, and John Adams, the most
ardent and at the same time the most severe and censorious
of his contemporaries, wrote to General Gates : " You ask me
what you are to think of Robert Morris? I will tell you what
I think of him. I think he has a masterly understanding, an
open temper, and an honest heart ; and if he does not always
vote for what you and I think proper, it is because he thinks
that a large body of people remains who are not yet of his
mind." This query was doubtless occasioned by the apparent
inconsistency of Mr. Morris's action with his views expressed to
General Gates in a letter written from Philadelphia on April
6th, 1776, in which he says:

"Where the plague are these Commissioners? If they are to
come, M'hat is it that detains them? It is time we should be
on a certainty, and know positively whether the liberties of
America can be established and secured by reconciliation, or
whether we must totally renounce connection with Great Britain,
and fight our way to a total independence. Whilst we continue
thus firmly united amongst ourselves, there is no doubt but either
of these ))oints may be carried ; but it seems to me we shall quarrel
about which of these roads is best to pursue, unless .the Commis-
sioners appear soon and lead us into the first path, therefore I
wish them to come, dreading nothing so much as even an appear-
ance of division amongst ourselves." Mr. Morris's reason for
this course was that he considered the act premature and un-
necessary, that the colonies were not yet ready for independence;
and that his motives were respected and sanctioned by his con-
stituents, and his patriotism never questioned, are shown by the
fact that on the 20th of the same month he, alone of the mem-

Robert Morris. 253

bers who had voted with him, was re-elected a delegate. On
this same day he wrote "From the Hills on Schuylkill" to
Joseph Keed : " I have uniformly voted against and opposed the
Declaration of Inde})endence, because, in my poor opinion, it was
an improper time, and will neither promote the interest nor re-
dound to the honor of America; for it has caused division when
we wanted union, and will be ascribed to very different principles
than those which ought to give rise to such an important measure.
I did expect my conduct on this great question would have pro-
cured my dismission from the great Council, but find myself
disappointed, for the Convention has thought proper to return
me in the new delegation ; and although my interest and in-
clination prompt me to decline the service, yet I cannot depart
from one point which first induced me to enter the public line.
I mean an opinion that it is the duty of every individual to act
his part in whatever station his country may call him to, in hours
of difficulty, danger, and distress. Whilst I think this a duty, I
must submit, although the councils of America have taken a dif-
ferent course from my judgment and wishes. I think that the
individual who declines the service of his country because its
councils are not conformable to his ideas, makes but a bad sub-
ject; a good one will follow if he cannot lead." Subsequently,
on the 2d of August, when the engrossed Declaration was laid
on the table to be signed, he subscribed, with firm hand and un-
faltering heart, his signature to our Magna Charta. This act
was not inconsistent with his earlier course, for in that brief
month great changes had taken place.

He cannot, however, be said to have been, like Sam. Adams,
"Burning for Independence," for while he was .ever earnest
in his exertions to withstand the encroachments of the British
crown, he afterward, on several occasions, expressed his great
regret for the act. In October, 1777, after the surrender of
Burgoyne, he wrote to Gates :

" Mr. Johnson, and, indeed, all the other Maryland delegates,
are at home forming a Constitution. This seems to be the pres-
ent business of all America, except the army. It is the fruit of
a certain premature declaration which, you know, I always
opposed. My opposition was founded on the evil consequences
I foresaw, or thought I foresaw, and the present state of several
of the colonies justifies my apprehension. We are disputing
about liberties, privileges, posts, and places, at the very time we
ought to have nothing in view but the securing of those objects,
and placing them on such a footing as to make them worth con-
tending for amongst ourselves hereafter. But instead of that,
the vigor of this and several other States is lost in intestine
divisions; and unless this spirit of contention is checked by some
other means, I fear it will have a baneful influence on the meas-
ures of America. Nothing do I wish for more than a peace on

254 Annals of Philadelphia.

terms honorable and beneficial to both countries ; and I am con-
vinced it is more consistent with the interest of Great Britain to
acknowletlge our independence and enter into commercial treaties
Avitli us than to persist in attempting to reduce us to uncondi-
tional submission. I hope we shall never be reduced to such a
vile situation whilst a true friend of America and freedom ex-
ists. Life Mould not be worth having, and it is better to perish
by the sword than to drag out our remaining days in misery and
scorn ; but I hope Heaven has better things in store for tiie vo-
taries of such a cause."

In December, 1776, when Congress retired to Baltimore on the
approach of Cornwallis, a committee, consisting of Mr. ^Morris,
George Clymer, and George Walton, was appointed to remain
in Philadelphia, with extensive power to execute all necessary
public business. It was just at this period that Washington
wrote to ]\Iorris from above Trenton that unless he had a certain
amount of specie at once he would be unable to keep the army
together, and could not foretell the result. Morris on his per-
sonal credit borrowed a sufficient sum, forwarded it to Washing-
Um, and enabled him to finish the victory over the Hessians at
Trenton by his success at Princeton.

On the 10th of ^Nlarch, 1777, Mr. Morris was a third time
sent as a delegate to Congress, and soon after was placed on the
Committee of Commerce, which succeeded the Secret Committee.
When Hancock, in the fall of this year, on account of his ill-
health, decided to resign his place in Congress, INIr. Morris was
urged to accept the Presidentship, but he declined to serve, as it
would interfere entirely M'ith his private business and disarrange
his public engagements. Henry Laurens was therefore chosen as
Hancock's successor. In Xovember ]Mr. ]\Iorris was selected with
El bridge Gerry to repair to the army, and confer confidentially
with the Commander-in-chief as to the best means of providing
for the Army. On the 13th of December, he was again re-elected
to Congress, and on the 9th day of July, 1778, led the Pennsyl-
vania delegation in signing the " Articles of Confederation and
Perpetual Union between the States," under which the govern-
ment was carried on until supplanted, ten years later, by the
Constitution of the United States. In August, he was appoint-
ed a member of the Committee of Finance, and in the spring of
1780 organized the Bank of Pennsylvania, "to supply the army
with provisions for two months," and to it subscribed £10,000.
Early in the year 1781, Congress found it necessary to organize
the Executive de[)artments of the government, and, '' whatever
may have been thought, in regard to tiie candidates suitable for
the other departments, tiiere was but one opinion in CongrCvSs and
in the nation as to the proper person for taking charge of the
finances, then in a dilapidated and most de])lorable condition. The
public sentiment everywhere pointed to Kobert Morris, whose great

Robert Ilorris. 255

experience and success as a merchant, his ardor in the cause of
American liberty, his firmness of character, fertility of mental
resources, and profound knowledge of pecuniary operations qual-
ified him in a degree far beyond any other person for this arduous
and responsible station." * Accordingly, on the 20th of Febru-
ary, at a time when Mr. Morris was a member of the Assembly
of Pennsylvania, he was unanimously chosen to the office of
Superintendent of Finance. This action was communicated to
him by the President of Congress in the following letter :

"Philadelphia, February 21, 1781.

"Sir: By the enclosed copy you will be informed that Con-
gress have been pleased unanimously to elect you, Sir, to the im-
portant office of Superintendent of Finance.

" It is hoped that this important call of your Country will be
received by you. Sir, as irresistible.

" I have the honor to be, with sentiments of esteem and re-
gard,

" Your most obedient and very humble servant,

"Sam. Huntington, Pr-esdL

"Robert Morris, Esquire."

On the 13th of March, Mr. Morris sent his reply to Congress,
in which he made certain stipulations as a condition ])recedent
upon his accepting the office. This led to a conference with a
committee of the Congress specially appointed for the purpose,
which resulted in the passage of certain resolutions on tiie 20th
of March and 21st and 27th of April, in effect assenting to Mr.
Morris's conditions ; and, upon receiving from the President of
Congress copies of these resolutions, Mr, Morris, on May 14th,
accepted the office of Superintendent of Finance. In his letter
of acceptance, which is a noble euiogium upon the man who wrote
it, he says : " In accepting the office bestowed on me, I sacrifice
much of my interest, my ease, my domestic enjoyments, and in-
ternal tranquillity. If I know my own heart, I make these sac-
rifices with a disinterested view to the service of my country. I
am ready to go further ; and the United States may com-
mand everything I HAVE EXCEPT MY INTEGRITY, AND THE
LOSS OF THAT WOULD EFFECTUALLY DISABLE ME FROM SERV-
ING THEM MORE." From this j^eriod until November 1st, 1784,
when he resigned, he continued to fill this arduous and rcs])onsible
post.

In so brief a notice it is impossible to recount the duties which

this appointment imposed; but it was an herculean task, which he

managed so as to bring order out of chaos and success out of

doubt. When the exhausted credit of the government threatened

* Jared Sparks's Life of Gouverneur Morris, vol. i. p- 23L

256 Annals of Philadelphia.

the most alarming consequences ; when the army was utterly des-
titute of the necessary su])plies of food, clothing, arms, and am-
munition ; when Washington almost began to fear for the result,
Robert Morris, upon his own credit and from his })riv'ate re-
sources, furnished those pecuniary means without whicii all the
physical force of the country would have been in vain ; without
Robert Morris the sword of Washington would have rusted in
its sheath. A dispassionate foreigner. Carlo Botta, in his History
of the American lievohdion, says : " Certainly the Americans owed
and still owe as much acknowledgment to the financial operations
of Robert Morris as to the negotiations of Benjamin Franklin or
even the arms of George Washington."

One of the earliest official acts of Mr. Morris was to submit
to Congress, in the same month as he accepted his appointment,
"A Plan for Establishing a National Bank for the United
States," and, on the 31st of the following December, "The
President, Directors, and Corporation of the Bank of North
America" were incorporated. This was the first incorporated
bank in the United States. The Assembly of Pennsylvania
having in 1785 annulled the charter of the bank, Mr. Morris,
at the earnest solicitation of many citizens, consented to become
a candidate for the Legislature, in conjunction with his friends
Thomas Fitzsimmons and George Clymer, in order to obtain, if
practicable, its renewal. He was consequently elected the follo\v-
ing year, and, although failing in the first effort, his exertions
were subsequently crowned with success.

When peace had once again fallen upon the land of his adop-
tion, and a fundamental law was necessarj^ to be formed for its
governance, Mr. Morris was chosen a delegate to the memorable
convention which met in Philadelphia May 25th, 1787, and
framed the Constitution of the United States. It was he who
proposed Washington for president of that convention, and dur-
ing its entire session Washington was his guest. During the
deliberations of the convention he strenuously advocated the
choice of Senators for life, and that they should be " men of great
and established property — an aristocracy." In the course of one
of his speeches he used these weighty words, which deserve to be
studied carefully at the present day, with a healthy recollection
of our present condition: "History proves, I admit, that men
of large property will uniformly endeavor to establish tyranny.
How shall we ward off these evils ? Give them the second
branch, the Senate, and you secure their weight for the public
good. They are responsible for their conduct, and this lust of
power will ever be checked by the democratic branch, and thus
form the stability of your government. But if we continue
changing our measures by the breath of democracy, who will
confide in our engagements? Who will trust us? Ask any
person whether he has any confidence in the government of Con-

Robert Morris. 257

gress under the Confederation or that of the State of Pennsylva-
nia, he will readily answer you * No.' Ask him the reason, and
he Avill tell you it is because he has no confidence in their stabil-
ity." In October, 1788, he received a renewed mark of tiie high
confidence his fellow-citizens entertained for him by being chosen
the first Senator from Pennsylvania to the first Congress of the
United States under the Constitution, and which assembled in
New York on the 4th of March, 1789. It was mainly through
his instrumentality that the seat of government was removed,
the next year, to Philadelphia, where it I'emained temporarily for
ten years, until the buildings were completed in the District of
Columbia. He served a full term in the Senate, retiring in
1795. Washington desired Mr. Morris to become his Secretary
of the Treasury, and upon his declining requested him to name
the person most competent, in his opinion, to fill the office, which
he did by naming Alexander Hamilton.

On Mr. Morris's retirement from public life, he began to spec-
ulate largely in unimproved lands in all sections of the country,
and in February, 1795, organized, with John Nicholson and
James Greenleaf, the North American Land Company, which,
through the dishonesty and rascality of Greenleaf, finally caused
his ruin, and burdened the closing years of his life with utter
poverty. The government, that he had carried on his own
shoulders through adversity to prosperity, allowed him to remain
from the 16th of February, 1798, until the 26th of August,
1801, a period of three years, six months, and ten days, an in-
mate of a debtors' prison, without raising a hand to help him,
thus adding another link to the chain which proves that " Re-
publics are ungrateful."

Mr. Morris survived his imprisonment not quite five years,
dying on the 7th of May, 1806, in his seventy-third year, and
his remains repose in the family vault, Christ Church, Second
street above Market street, Philadelphia. Mr. Morris was mar-
ried March 2d, 1769, to Mary, daughter of Thomas and Es-
ther [Huelings] White, and sister of Bishop White. They had
seven children: Robert, who married Ann Shoemaker; Thom-
as, who married Sarah Kane ; William White ; Hetty, who
married James Marshall of Virginia ; Charles ; Maria, who
married Henry Nixon ; and Henry, who married Eliza Jane
Smith.

Mr. Morris was a very large man, quite six feet in stature,
with a full, well-formed, vigorous frame, and clear, smooth,
florid complexion. His hair, sandy in youth, was worn, when
gray, loose and unpowdered. His eyes were bright blue, of me-
dium size, but uncommonly brilliant. There are four portraits
of him. The earliest by Charles Wilson Peale, now in Inde-
pendence Hall, was never like the original, and Mrs. Morris
could not bear it in her sight or to hear it mentioned as a like-

VoL. III.— R 22 *

258 Annak of Philadelphia.

ness of ]\rr. Morris. The second, a miniature by Trumbull, is
now in Virginia, in possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. Am-
bler. The third was painted by Robert Edge Pine, the English
artist, for whom Mr. Morris built a house in Eighth street below
Market, and is the most familiar one, as from it all the engraved
jiortraits have been taken. It is believed to have been a very
fair likeness, and is now in possession of the family of his son,
Henry Morris. The latest portrait was painted by the great
genius Gilbert Stuart, and is a masterpiece of this great artist's
work. As you look upon the canvas you forget it is inanimate,
and feel as if you were in the very presence of the man, while
that intuitive something tells you it is like as life. The original
is in Xew York, in possession of the family of his son, Thomas
Morris, and a duplicate Ls in possession of his granddaughter,
Miss Nixon of Philadelphia.

Mr. Morris possessed naturally great intellectual qualities.
His mind was acute, penetrating, and logical. His conversation
was cheerful, affable, and engaging. His public speaking was
fluent, forcible, and impressive, and he was listened to always
with the profound attention and respect his great experience and
practical good sense so justly merited. In debate his argument-
ative eloquence is described as being of a high order, expressing
himself in a terse and correct manner. His extensive public and
private correspondence was conducted in a graceful, clear style.
His manners were gracious and simple, and free from the formal-
ity which generally prevailed, while at heart he was an aristocrat,
and looked upon as the leader of the aristocratic party in the re-
public. He was noted for his great cheerfulness and urbanity of
disposition, which even under the most distressing circumstances
never forsook him, and from the prison-house in adversity, as
from the counting-house in prosperity, he sent familiar notes
filled with amusing and sprightly expressions ; but his sarcasm
and invective were as sharp and severe as his benevolence and
kindness were unbounded. In all his misfortunes he seldom ut-
tered a complaint, placing them where they justly belonged — to
his ambition for accumulating wealth. Xone of the many wor-
thies of the Revolution stood higher in the esteem or aj)proached
nearer to the heart of Washington than Robert Morris. The
pater patrio'.^s adopted son, George Washington Parke Custis,
says, " If I am asked, ' And did not Washington unbend and
admit to familiarity and social friendship some one person to
whom age and long and interesting associations gave peculiar
privilege, the privilege of the heart?' I answer, That favored in-
dividual was Robert Morris." In the fall of 1798, when Wash-
ington repaired to Philadeli)hia to superintend the organization
of his last army, called together on the apprehension of war
with France, " he paid his first visit to the prison-house of
Robert Morris. The old man wrung the hand of the Chief

Robert Morris. 259

in silence, while his tearful eye gave the welcome to such a
home." Well may we repeat Whittier's words :

" What has the gray-haired prisoner done ?
Has murder stained his hands with gore?
Not so; his crime's a fouler one:
God made the old man poor."

When General Howe, in the winter of 1776-77, advanced his
army so far across Jersey as to render Philadelphia too exposed
a place for Congress to hold its sessions, that body retired to Bal-
timore, and a number of families, the heads of which were active
leaders in the Revolution, left the city for points of greater safety.
The surprise and defeat of the British at Trenton and Princeton
removed all immediate danger of the capture of Philadelphia, and
Congress and the citizens returned to it. The relief thus fur-
nished, it was evident to many, wT>uld be but a temporary one,
as Philadelphia was, without doitbt, the objective point of the
British commander, the capture of which he looked forward to as
the final stroke to be given to the American cause; and they at
once set about securing places of refuge where, in event of an-
other offensive movement on the part of Sir William against the
city, they could remove their families. Robert Morris Avas one
of this number, and the letter of his wife to her mother, Mrs.
AVhite, informiug her of the purchase of the residence of Baron
Stiegel at Manheim by Mr. Morris, in which his family resided
when the British took possession of Philadelphia in the fall of
1777, is very interesting:

"April 14, 1777. We are preparing for another flight in pack-
ing up our furniture and removing them to a new purchase Mr.
Morris has made ten miles from Lancaster; no other than the
famous mansion that belonged to Stedman and Sties-el at the Iron
Works, where you know I spent six weeks, so am perfectly well
acquainted with the goodness of the house and situation. The
reason Mr. Morris made this purchase, he looks upon the other
not secure if they come by water. I think myself very lucky in
having this asylum, it being but eight miles, fine road, from Lan-
caster, where I expect Mr. Morris will be if he quits this, be-
sides many of my friends and acquaintances. So I now solicit
the ])leasure of your company at this once famous place instead
of Mennet, where perhaps we may yet trace some vestiges of the
late owner's folly, and may prove a useful lesson to us his suc-
cessors."

The magnificent mansion which Baron Stiegel built at Man-
heim was of bricks imported from England. There was a chapel
in the house, where he was accustomed to conduct divine Avorship
for those in his employment. The internal arrangements, the
wainscoting, the cornices, the landscape painting covering the
walls of the parlor (a fine piece of tapestry, a part of which has

260 Annals of- Philadelphia.

been presented to the Historical Society by Henry Arndt, the
present proprietor of the mansion) representing scenes in falconry,
and the beautiful porc^elain tiles adorning the fireplaces, are all
in good taste, and would be admired by good judges in our day.
Everything would tend to show that the baron was a gentleman
of cultivation and refinement.

Baron Stiegel, a native of Manheim, Germany, came to Amer-
ica in 1757 with "good recommendations and a great deal of
money." He purchased seven hundred and fourteen acres in
Lancaster county, laid out the town of Manheim, built the Elliz-
abeth iron-furnace and extensive glassworks. He also built a
furnace and summer residence at Sclneflferstown, Lebanon county.
He lived in extravagant style, drove his coach-and-four, had a
band of music, and when he came or went to or from his furnaces
he was heralded by the firing of cannon. He said in one of his
letters his glassworks alone brought him in five thousand pounds
yearly. Hasting to make rich fast, he bought his partner out,
but the troubles with England stopped all enterjn'ises ; he could
not meet his obligations. He struggled manfully for years, but
in 1774 met M'ith irretrievable ruin. The strange part of the
story is that his end is unknown, though within the memory of
those living. He certainly died in great indigence.

Mr. Morris lived in the house on Market street between Fifth
and Sixth, formerly Richard Penn's house, and removed from it
in order that Washington might have a house befitting his station
and with sufficient stabling. At the south-east corner of Sixth
and ]\Iarket stood the residence built by Joseph Galloway, the
traitor, which had been sequestered by the State, and used by the
State as the official residence of the president of the Supreme
Council, and perhaps occupied by Joseph Reed and John Dickin-
son. To this house ISlorris reuioved in 1789, and remained until
1796, he having bought it from Councils in 1787. It was a large
and spacious mansion, with entrances both on Market and on
Sixth street. He had his counting-room on the opposite side of
Market street, at No. 227.

1787, Nov. 20, a deed is made by Councils for the property
south-east corner of Sixth and Market streets. A small portion
of it is seen in the view of Washington's House, p. 583, adjoining
to the opening west of the mansion, "A three-story brick mes-
suage and other buildings and two lots of ground ; one of them
containing in breadth sixty feet on the south side of Market street,
and in length one hundred and eighty feet on the east side of
Sixth street to Minor street ; and the other of them containing in
breadth eighty-six feet on the east side of Sixth street, and in
length or depth sixty feet on the south side of Elinor street afore-
said ; the whole subject to the ])ayment of a yearly ground-rent of
forty-four Spanish milled dollars -to the heirs and assigns of Israel
Pemberton, deceased.

Robert Morris. 261

" Consideration for former, £14,100

" " latter, 2,725"

(See (hi Recs. xv. 151.)

The property at the corner of Sixth and Market streets was
afterward owned by the Schuylkill Bank, and sold after its
troubles. It is now occupied by the clothing store of Wana-
maker & Brown.

In 1782, when the Prince de Broglie was in the city, he was
conducted by the Chevalier de la Luzerne to the house of Robert
Morris to take tea, and a delightful picture the prince gives of the
social life of the time: "The house is simple, but well furnished
and very neat. The doors and tables are of superb mahogany,
and polished. The locks and hinges in brass curiously bright.
The porcelain cups were arranged with great precision. The
mistress of the house had an agreeable expression, and was
dressed altogether in white ; in fact, everything appeared charm-
ing to me. I partook of most excellent tea, and I should be
even now still drinking it, I believe, if the ambassador had not
charitably notified me at the twelfth cup that I must put my
spoon across it when I wished to finish with this sort of warm
water. He said to me : 'It is almost as ill-bred to refuse a cup
of tea when it is offered to you, as it would be indiscreet for the
mistress of the house to propose a fresh one when the ceremony
of the spoon has notified her that you no longer wish to partake
of it.' "

When Mr. Morris removed from Sixth and Market is not
exactly known, but it was probably in the latter part of 1796 or
early in 1797, as about that time he was living in Chestnut street
just below Eighth, next to the corner, a large house now occupied
as a restaurant, but formerly owned by Edward Shippen Burd,
then occupied by Daniel W. Coxe, and afterward by the Misses
Hubley. Here he was so dunned by his creditors that he re-
moved to' " The Hills," now Lemon Hill, formerly Henry
Pratt's estate, and now in the Park.

The Hills was part of the Springettsbury farm, and consisted
of eighty acres purchased from Tench Francis in July, 1770, by
Robert Morris. It was his favorite resort from business cares,
and here he kept up an elegant hospitality in his prosperous
days. The house was all destroyed. It was a square house of
two stories with high basement and attics, and a two-storied
circular projection or bay on one side, with piazzas on the others.

His Chestnut street lot and unfinished house, The Hills, and
some ground-rents, were advertised to be sold by the sheriff
Sept. 15th, 1797, while he was hiding from the sheriff, bidding
defiance to him in his own castle. Here he remained, chafing
under his confinement, not daring to go out but once, until some
time between the 10th and 20th of February, 1798, when he was

262 Annals of Philadelphia.

arrested for debt and placed in the Walnut Street Prison, the
debtors' department on the corner of Sixth and Prune streets.
While confined here his family furniture, silver, and prized
familiar objects were sold. The yellow fever of 1798 also raged,
but he escaped it.

Tliougii the bankrupt law was passed April 4, 1800, and took
effect in July, Mr. Morris and his partner, John Xicholson, for
some reason, did not at once take the benefit of it, and Nicholson
died in prison, and Mr. Morris did not get his certificate until
December 4, 1801. Debts to the amount of nearly three million
dollars were proved against him, though many did not press their
claims. I have now his note for ten thousand dollars, endorsed
by John Xicholson, which my grandfather held at the time, and
of course lost.

The Hills were sold by the sheriff at the suit of the Pennsyl-
vania Insurance Company in March, 1799. The estate was sold
in two parcels, Henry Pratt buying the southern portion. He
improved the place very much, and it was kept in very elegant
order, to which admittance was gained only by tickets. Many
availed themselves of them to witness the improvements and
enjoy the grounds. Mr. Pratt tore down the Morris house and
built the one at present standing. Later in life he did not reside
there, but visited it occasionally, though he kept up the gardens,
conservatories, and grounds in the best manner. He was a ship-
ping-merchant, and very successful. He died Feb. 6, 1838, in
his seventy-seventh year.

After his death Lemon Hill was bought by the Bank of the
United States for two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.
After its failure all property sank in value, purchasers at any
price were scarce, and it was finally sold in 1844 to the city for
seventy-five thousand dollars. The city bought it to prevent
any nuisances being created which would spoil the water. There
were at this time but fifty-two acres. In September, 1855, it was
dedicated as a public park, and through the aid and e'xertions of
a number of public-spirited gentlemen the Park has been grad-
ually increased to its present dimensions ; Sedgley was annexed
in 1856, the Lansdowne estate in 1866, and others by the act
of 1867 ; to which was added the superb gift of Jesse George and
his sister, in whose memory George's Hill was named.

By his wife Mary, sister to Bishop White, Robert ^Morris had
seven children. Henry, a fine, portly man like his father, was
elected sheritl" in 1841, but died of heart disease in 1842. Maria,
the second daughter, married Henry Nixon.

It is evident to those who trace Mr. Morris's character that he
was a man of liberal mind, great vigor, and of such energy that
he dared to grasp and carry through schemes from which men of
smaller calibre would shrink. His education as a merchant in
one of the largest and most successful houses would tend to foster

Robert Morris. 263

this, and the position toward the government in which he was
placed, carrying out schemes of great magnitude for those times.
When the liberty of the country was assured and the tide of em-
igration began to pour in, Mr. Morris foresaw a great future for
this country and this city. He was interested in several schemes
of land speculation, and he must perhaps at one time have had
an interest in some twenty millions acres of land. He also owned
a number of valuable pieces of property in the city which he had
bought on speculation. His credit, which had carried the govern-
ment through financially when its own had failed to accomplish
it, was so good that it must have led him into transactions that
more sober judgment would have forbidden. In addition to his
other purchases, he was part owner of three-fourths of the new
city of Washington, anticipating that as the future seat of a great
government lots must rise greatly and rapidly. He had made
some large sales of lands at good profit, and of course felt en-
couraged to go on more largely. With John Nicholson and
James Greenleaf as partners in his schemes, the notes of Morris,
endorsed by Nicholson or Greenleaf, became very plenty on the
market. Anticipating perhaps his large profits, he entered into
building " Morris's Folly" on a grand scale, which proved too
much for him at times when his reverses began to come back on
him. And from that time it was the usual story of all such wide-
spread schemes on credit. How widely spread he was is shown
by debts proved against him in the bankrupt court amounting to
nearly three millions of dollars, and there must have been many
more. Judgments were placed upon him in rapid succession,
which he fought oft' for several years, but which were at last ex-
ecuted and swept away everything, even to his household treasures.
What was intended as the finest private mansion in the coun-
try was situated on nearly the whole of the square of ground
from Seventh to Eighth on Chestnut and Walnut streets, which,
though it had been only a pasture-lot of the Norrises, he gave
ten thousand pounds for. The house was built of brick in the
main walls, but with marble around the windows, doors, and in
columns and piazzas, and perhaps, judging from its appearance
in Birch's picture, nearly the whole of the ends were of marble,
many parts of it beautifully sculptured. The foundations were
extensive, and the superstructure was two stories of good height,
with a roof somewhat resembling the present style of Mansard
roof. It had reached this state when, owing to some foreign
houses failing, Morris was obliged to succumb. The Bank of
Pennsylvania soon brought suit, and the sheriff" levied on this
property, and sold it in December, 1797, for twenty-five thousand
six hundred dollars, subject to a mortgage of seven thousand
pounds specie to Messrs. Willink of Amsterdam. His accounts
show that he paid to the architect $9037.13, and for building
material and work £6138 5s. lOd. He had previously, in 1795,

264 Annals of Philadelphia.

sold the Washington house on Market street, forty-six feet front,
for thirty-seven thousand dolUirs; and the remaining portions, a
seventy-foot lot adjoining and tlie Sixth street corner house, were
worth 'nearly fifty thousand dollars more. His original estimate
of the amount to be expended upon the Chestnut street palac
was sixty thousand dollars. William Sansom and others bought
this property at sheriff's sale, and Sansom built rows of houses
on Walnut and Sansom streets, which were a novelty at that
time. The palace was torn down for the materials, which
became scattered ; some of them are to be seen to this day in
dwellings in the city ; the bas-reliefs of Tragedy and Comedy in
the OlcfDrury Theatre on Chestnut street were from this house.

Of the abundance of their promissory notes, Morris in writing
to Kicholson said, if writing notes to each other would pay
"those which bear promise of payments," "you would M-ant
more copying-presses and half a dozen paper-mills.'' "Two
hundred thousand acres of my land in North Carolina, which
cost me twenty-seven thousand dollars, are sold for one year's
taxes."

Eobert Morris in the Account of his Property, published in
pamphlet form by his heirs about 1854, says: "The large lot on
Chestnut street, upon which Major L'Enfant was erecting for me
a much more magnificent house than I ever intended to have
built, became subject to sundry judgments that were obtained
against me, and it was also included in a mortgage dated De-
cember, 1796, to secure a debt due to Messrs. Willink of Am-
sterdam, but the judgments being of prior date, that estate was
sold in execution by the sheriff The purchasers, Messrs. W.
Sansom, Joseph Ball, and Reed & Ford, are under promise to
account with me for any surplus that may arise upon a re-sale
beyond their respective debts, and I did hope and expect that
soinething handsome would have arisen out of this property
toward the payment of Messrs. Willink, whose claim is just and
fair ; but the purchasers now say that they shall not be able to
raise anvthing beyond their own dues, if so much."

After' Mr. Morris got out of Walnut Street Prison he lived in
the house in Twelfth street below Market, as appears from the
Directory of 1805, which was compiled in 1804, and has the
name of " Robert Morris, 2 South Twelfth street." He is also
in the Directory of 1806 at the same place. In that house Mr.
Morris died May 7, 1806, and was buried in the family vault
in Christ Church, where his brother-in-law. Bishop White, also
lies. In 1809 his widow lived next to Xo. 151 Walnut street,
where she remained for some years. In 1813 the Directory
locates " Morris, Mrs., widow of Robert, gentleman, corner of
Eleventh and Chestnut." In 1814, ditto. The Directory for
1824 does not contain Mrs. Morris's name. It has, however,
"Morris, Anna, Mrs., widow of Robert, Jr., 282 Chestnut."

Lydia Darrach and Captain Loxley. 265

This lady was daughter-in-law of Mrs. Robert Morris of the
Revolution, and the latter might have lived with her. The
name of Mrs. Morris of the Revolution was Mary. A widow,
Mary Morris, lived in 1820 below the Academy of Fine Arts,
on Chestnut street. This was on the north side. We do not
know who this lady was, but we suppose that she was not the
widow of the financier. Mrs. Robert Morris lived on the south
side of Chestnut street, the sixth house west of Tenth street, on
the occasion of General La Fayette's reception in 1824. Mr.
W. Meredith lived at Tenth and Chestnut streets. Miss Fox,
who dispensed a generous and refined hospitality at Champlot, on
Green lane, had her city home next to Mr. Meredith's; next
came that of the late Thomas Biddle; next, Manuel Eyre; next,
Mr. Conolly, and Mrs. Robert Morris's. The house on Twelfth
street was Mrs. Nixon's, wife of the late Henry Nixon, who was
Mrs. Morris's daughter, Mrs. Morris subsequently lived and
died at Mr. Nixon's country residence, Fairhill, on Ridge road,
adjoining the now Girard College, which he had inherited from
his father, John Nixon, the celebrated banker, merchant, and
first reader of the Declaration.

Sansom Street, p. 410. — A fire took place in one or more of
these houses, then unfinished, in 1803, at which the want of
water was so apparent as to lead to the formation of the Phil-
adelphia Hose Company, the first in the city. Buckets and
pumps had theretofore alone been used. (See p. 424.)

LYDIA DARRACH AND CAPTAIN LOXLEY.

Lydia Darrach, p. 412. — See Beg. Penna., i. 48, for a par-
ticular account of this transaction, from which it would appear
that the officers lived or had their office opposite to, not in, the
house.

There are some inconsistencies in the narrative and in the
dates of the story of Lydia Darrach overhearing two British
officers planning an attack upon Washington in one of the rooms
of her house, then feigning sleep in her room M'hen the officers
knocked at her door, and next day passing through the lines,
vmder pretence of going a long distance to mill, and thus putting
Washington on his guard. The officers at the time were not
living at her house, but on the opposite side, in the house of
Gen. Cadwalader.

The Loxley House stood until within a few years at the corner
of Second street and Little Dock, and was erected about 1760.
Loxley was a builder and a man of some means, and lived on
Arch street below Fourth, and gave the name to the little street
called Loxley's court running from Arch to Cherry street.

266 Annals of Philadelphia.

This name was duplicated on another court in the neighborhood
of Front and Spruce street-^, where he owned several properties
besides the Loxley House.

Benjamin Loxley was humorously represented in Graydon's
Memoirs as "a very honest though little, dingy-looking man,
with regimentals considerably war-worn or tarnished, a very sala-
mander," at the head of the militia as captain u})on the threat-
ened attack of the Paxton Boys, with his artillery at the court-
house, Second and Market streets. The scene was caricatured by
Dawkius in 1764. He had been a lieutenant under Braddfx'k in
1756, and on his return was lieutenant, and afterward captain,
of an independent artillery company. He was a member of the
Committee of Safety in 1774; was in service in the Revolution
in 1775; a delegate to the conference of the Committees of Safety
in June, 1776 ; and next month offered to superintend the casting
of brass howitzers, mortars, etc., but his services not being thought
to be needed, he then commanded the first artillery company in
the regiment under Col. Samuel Mifflin, in an eight days' march
to Ambov, of which he kept a diary, which was republished by
the Pennsylvania Historical Society; he was recalled to assist at
the cannon-factory ; was promoted to be major, and was paid one
hundred pounds for his services. It will be seen he was a man
of considerable influence and repute.

DUCHE'S HOUSE AXD ST. PETER'S CHURCH.

Duches House, p. 413. — This stood at the north-east corner
of Third and Pine streets. " A resolution of the Hon. House of
Assembly [which had confiscated Duche's house] of 20th inst.
was rec'^ and read, permitting the Hon. Thomas McKean, Esq.,
chief-justice of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to occupy
and possess the house and lots, with the appurtenances, late the
property of Rev. Jacob Duche the younger, until the 1st day of
Julv next, and until the further order of the House." Dec. 19,
1780. (Col. Recs.,xii. bis.)

St. Peter's.— The beautiful chime of bells of St. Peter's
Church was presented by B. C. ^\'ilcocks, who had them ctist in
London; they cost two thousand dollars, and were brought over,
freight free, in the ship Thomas P. Cope. They weigh —

No. 1, 6 cwt. 2 qrs. 3 lbs.

" 2, 6 " 3 " 18 "

" 3, 8 " 3 " 3 "

" 4 9 " 2 " 9 "

" 5,' 10 " 3 " 8 "

" 6, 15 " 1 " 25 "

Duchess House and St. Peter's Church. 267

The height of the steeple from the ground to top of Hglitning-
rod is two hundred and ten feet. The gilt cross is nearly ten feet
high.

A history of this church was prepared and published in a
pamphlet by Rev. Dr. DeLancey, then the pastor.

Rev. W. H. Odenheimer was called from this church to the
bishopric of New Jersey ; Rev. Mr. Leeds was called and in-
ducted by Bishop Potter June 29, 1860.

Christ Church being filled to overflowing, its vestry laid the
foundation in 1758 of St. Peter's, which was dedicated on 4th
September, 1761, and completely finished in 1763, at a cost of
three thousand three hundred and ten pounds sterling money.
The streets around were unpaved until five years after, and the
brick wall not built till 1784. It was first surrounded by a fence,
which was used in the Revolution by British soldiers for fire-
wood.

The committee appointed to superintend the building of St.
Peter's consisted of Joseph Sims, Dr. John Kearsley, William
Plumstead, Jacob Duche, Alexander Stedman, James Child,
Evan Morgan, Redmond Conyngham, Attwood Shute, John
Wilcocks, Samuel McCall, Jr., James Humphreys, and William
Bingham.

It was far more chapel-like in its earlier days than at present,
having at one end merely a small wooden cupola, which was re-
moved in 1842 and replaced by a steeple. There are two arm-
chairs now in the chancel made from its wood when taken down.
Prominent in the beautiful churchyard is a monument to Com-
modore Stephen Decatur, who in 1820 was killed in a duel by
Caj^tain Barron of our navy, father of the traitor to his flag
made a prisoner at Fort Hatteras in the late rebellion.

The exterior of St. Peter's is of brick. The interior forcibly
calls to mind former days. The pews are high and square. At-
tached to the pulpit is the clerk's desk, now used for reading
prayers, and at the opposite end of the church is the chancel,
which afforded the early rectors an excellent opportunity for a
dignified sweep down the aisle in the full canonicals of the
English Church, preceded by the gowned sexton. Ornament-
ing each side of the chancel are the portraits of Bishop White,
in a powdered wig, and Rev. Dr. Smith, provost of the Phila-
delphia College, his black gown graced with the crimson stole of
the Oxford graduate, but wearing his own gray hair. He preached
the dedication sermon.

The original organ was placed in the left gallery. A handsome
new one was substituted for it about 1855, which is over the chan-
cel, partly hiding a richly-painted window, and surmounted by a
group of cherubims, two vases of sacred fire, and two angels, one
of which is the Recording Angel carrying a book, and the other
the leading chorister of the heavenly host touching a lute.

268 Annals of Philadelphia.

The first clergyman of St. Peter's, wliose title was that of "as-
sistant minister of Christ Church," was the Rev. Jacob Duche.
Jr., son of one of the vestrymen, who was educated at Cambridge
in England, and wlio came here at the age of twenty-three with
a license to preach from the lord bishop of London and a letter
of orders from His Grace the archbishop of Canterbury. His
portrait hangs in the vestry-room. The face is handsome and
l)olishcd, and the head adorned with a powdered M'ig peculiar to
the time. He was remarkable for a retentive memory. Being
very near-sighted, and not able to read his sermons without ap-
plying his face close to the manuscript, he learnt them bv heart,
but, singular to say, forgot them entirely a day or two afterward.
He was eccentric and somewhat of a wit, but, as the Revolution
broke out, showed the cloven foot of Toryism. On his return
after peace was declared he received no call from his former
congregation or from any other. He died at the age of sixty,
and lies buried in St. Peter's churchyard. This church was sep-
arated from its connection with Christ Church in 1832.

As a contrast to the centennial procession entering the church
we will present that of the dedication period. First entered the
clerk and sexton in gowns ; next the questmen, or assistant church-
Avardens ; vestrymen, two by two ; governor, in robes of office ;
churchwardens, two by two ; officiating clergy ; governor's Coun-
cil and attendants ; and following them the city clergy, two by
two.

In continuance of the account of St. Peter's Church in Vol. I.
p. 413, the following description of the centennial anniversary,
September 4th, 1861, will be found interesting:

The bells rang chimes, and the ceremonies commenced bv the
Rt. Rev. Bishops Potter, Odenheimer, and DeLancey entering in
full canonicals, followed by the rector and assistants, with the
Episcopal clergy of the city in white robes. Among the clergy
we noticed Drs. Ducachet, Stevens, Clay, Dr. IMorton of St.
James's, and Dr. Dorr of Christ Church, the last two named
gentlemen occupying the pulpit. After them came the church-
wardens.

The church was crowded, many of the congregation being de-
scendants of long-resident Philadelphia flimilies, and present-
ing many members of extreme old age. An anthem was given
during the service, which was also sung at the dedication of the
church.

Bishop DeLancey took his text from the 57th and 58th verses
of the eighth chapter of the first book of Kings: "The Lord
our God be with us as He was with our fathers ; let Him not
leave us or forsake us. That He may incline our hearts unto
Him, to walk in all His ways and keep His commandments, and
His statutes, and His judgments, which He commanded our
fathers."

Duche's House and St. Peter'' s Church. 269

One hundred years had rolled a\yay since the doors of this
sanctuary were first opened to the zealous flock who had erected
it to the worship of the God of their fathers. Political and sec-
tarian apprehensions then silenced the voices that would other-
wise have pronounced an episcopal benediction on the church
and proclaimed its erection as a proper gift to the Lord God Al-
mighty through Plis ministers and servants. Neither the govern-
ment nor the people had learned a fact now so well known — that
the spiritual may exist in a nation in the full and independent
exercise of all its functions, unmingled with the secular, and un-
trammeled and unaffected by its power. Hence this church had
never been episcopal ly consecrated in the expressed manner of
an approved ritual, but given to God by the hands of its pious
founders.

With the exception of the addition of the steeple, the external
appearance of the church was now, as it was then, dignified, im-
pressive.

Fires, incendiary or accidental, had, with more or less fre-
quency, glared on every side of the church, but by the provi-
dence of God, its position, and the skill and energy of the pro-
tectors of our dwellings, the building, though once slightly
touched by the flames, remained in safety. No lightning gleam
from the clouds ever struck a devastating blow on the edifice.
In times of reckless excitement infuriated mobs had passed its-
walls and left them uninjured.

Here, where the representative of royalty was wont to humble
himself before God, and where subsequently the head of the re-
public worshipped, the spirit of change had left the building un-
desecrated by any new modelling in its interior arrangements.
The church stood a venerable monument of the early taste and
judgment of its founders. The stained windows, the imposing
steeple, and the inspiring chime constituted almost the only import-
ant changes which the eye or the ear could detect in this edifice.
The parish of St. Peter was identified with the organization of
the Church, the first and many subsequent standing committees,
the adoption of the Praycr-Book, and the primary organization
of the present Episcopal Church in the United States.

23*

270 Annals of Philadelphia.

THE BINGHAM MANSION AND LANSDOWNE, AND
THE BINGHAM FAMILY.

Bingham^ s Mansion, p. 414. — The mansion-house was between
Walnut and Sj)ruee streets, on the Avest side of Third street. It
Avas afterward known as Head's " Mansion House," and was a
most excellently kept and fashionable hotel for manv years. It
Avas much injured on the roof and the interior by fire early in the
morning in 184-. It has since been pulled down and brownstone-
front residences erected on the lot by Mr. Bouvier, mahogany-
dealer, in 1850.

Scarcely a Lombardy poplar is now to be seen in the city,
having chiefly been destroyed in consequence of alarm created by
apprehension of fatal effects from a species of worm with which
they were infested very abundantly ; many articles appeared in
the papers about them, some of them quite terrific. Another rea-
son for their removal was the upturning of the pavements by their
roots, which grew near the surface. In the country they are also
now very scarce, owing to the unhealthy appearance they made ;
the climate not being suitable, most of them have died. Their
place in the city was very generally sup])lied by maples, lindens,
etc. ; the latter became much infested with the measuring-worm,
and were mostly dug up; the importation a few years since of the
English sparrow was in time to save some, but the birds have
increased so fast as themselves to become a nuisance.

The lines quoted by Watson are not in the connection as
printed in Markoe's poem, p. 24, but are select lines from it, and
thus arranged for this occasion.

An account of this mansion is published in the Directory for
1794.

The Willing mansion in the same square, corner of Willing's
alley and Third street, was demolished in 1856, to make room for
the present building, erected by the Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany for their offices, and afterward sold to the Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company when the Pennsylvania Railroad built their
magnificent offices in the rear of this on Fourth street, on the lot
formerly occupied by Joseph R. Ingersoll. The AVilling man-
sion was a large, double, venerable-looking house, well built and
surrounded by trees, magnificent sjiecimens of the sycamore or
buttonwood.

There was buried in Christ Church on December 22d, 1714,
James Bingham, a very respectable man who had been a black-
smith, and he left a large landed property. His son James mar-
ried the daughter of William Budd of Burlington, who brought
him additional property. Plis son William married Mary,
daughter of Mayor Stamper, in 1745, who added more jiroperty
to his possessions. His son William, born in this city in 1752,

The Bingham Mansion and Lansdowne. 271

married Ann Willing, daughter of Thomas Willing, the partner
of Robert Morris and a wealthy merchant. Thus four gener-
ations married well.

William Bingham graduated at the college in 1768. Three
years later he was appointed consul under the British government
in the West Indies, and remained there during the Revolution;
was agent for Congress and acquired a large property. Return-
ing home, he married Miss Willing, just sixteen, in 1780. After
his marriage they spent several years in Europe. At that time
John Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson were diplomats abroad,
and through their good offices, and those of La Fayette, they
gained the entree to the best society — to which the great beauty
of Mrs. Binffham and the wealth of Mr. Bino;ham entitled them.
Upon their return Mr. Bingham built a splendid mansion upon a
lot of three acres on the west side of Third street above Spruce,
and furnished it very elegantly. Not only the plan of the house
was brought over by him, but nearly all the furniture and deco-
rations. The house was modelled after that of the duke of Man-
chester's London house,, only larger. It was very wide, three
stories high, stood back about forty feet from the street, and was
approached through two gates by a semicircular drive. In front
M^as a low wall with balusters, and the grounds were beautifully
laid out. The whole of Third and Fourth streets from Spruce to
Willing's alley Avas occupied by the houses of Mrs. Bingham's
relatives — that of her uncle, Mr. Powell, afterward of the late
William Rawle; of her father, Mr. Willing; and of her aunt,
Mrs. William Byrd of Westover. Besides this elegant town-
house, Mr. Bingham owned a country-seat west of the Schuylkill,
north of the Lancaster road, between the Powell and Britton
estates. He served as member of the Confederate Congress from
1786 to 1789, was captain of the dragoons at the time they escorted
Mrs. Washington from Chester to Philadelphia on her way to
New York to join the first President, was a member of the As-
sembly for 1790-91, and elected Speaker the first year, and was
United States Senator from 1795 till 1801.

On what was called the Lansdowne estate (now embodied in
the Park) in 1876 were erected the principal Centennial build-
ings, and just about where stands Horticultural Hall formerly
stood one of the grandest mansions and one of great historic
interest. Though of later years in ruins, it should have been
restored to its former appearance on account of its associations,
but the commissioners razed it to the ground. This building
was called Lansdowne, and only the name is preserved to mark
the estate which was once so elegantly adorned and the home of
much stateliness and festivity. The estate originally consisted
of one hundred and forty-two acres in Blockley, on the west side
of the Schuylkill, and was owned before the Revolution by Rev.
William Smith, provost of the College of Philadelphia. He

272 Annah of Philadelphia.

sold It in 1773 to John Pcnn, part Proprietary of Pennsylvania
and governor, who added otlier tracts, and thus increased the
estate to about two hundred acres. The jiroperty adjoined
Peters's estate at Behnont. Here Penn erected a stone mansion
of magnificent proportions, mainly in the Italian style. It con-
sisted of a main building with recessed wings and a two-storied
portico, each story supported by pillars of the Ionic order and
surmounted with a pediment ; a large bay-window projected from
each end. The ap])roach to the house was by an avenue of trees
of great extent. The grounds were undulating, beautifully laid
out, and with fine old trees and romantic glens and ravines ; of
these Lansdowne Glen remains in somewhat of its wildness.

After the death of Governor Penn, in 1795, his widow, for-
merly Ann Allen, deeded the proj^erty to James Greenleaf, whose
wife was a niece of Mrs. John Penn. Greenleaf, a merchant,
was engaged with Pobert Morris in speculations in real estate,
and though supposed to have great wealth, failed when Morris
did, and this property of Lansdowne was sold by the sheriff
April 11, 1797. William Bingham purchased it for thirty-one
thousand and fifty dollars, subject to a mortgage of twenty-four
thousand and fifty dollars, making the total cost of it fifty-five
thousand and one hundred dollars.

From this time, for a few years only, it was the seat of hos-
pitality and elegance. Its wealthy and fashionable owners enter-
tained the highest in the land. Washington, Adams, Jefferson,
and other distinguished American and foreign statesmen and
ministers were entertained here.

Mrs. Bingham in returning from a party in a sleigh took a
violent cold which settled upon her lungs, and she was taken to
Bermuda, but died at the early age of thirty-seven, May 11,
1801. INIr. Bingham shortly afterward went to Europe, and
died at Bath in 1804, in his fifty-second year.

The portrait of Washington Jby Stuart, a full-length, and
known as the "Lansdowne portrait," engraved in pure line by
the celebrated engraver in England, Heath, was originally or-
dered by the marquis of Lansdowne, but at j\Ir. Bingham's
solicitation Stuart allowed him to pay for it, and he sent it as a
present to that nobleman. Stuart, not having reserved the copy-
right, was indignant at seeing an engraving done of it and being
thus deprived of the copyright, and, cpiarrelling with Bingham
about it, refused to finish a portrait of ]\Irs. Bingham of which
he had painted the head. This Lansdowne portrait of Washing-
ton was sent over and exhibited in the Great Britain department
of the art collection in Memorial Hall in 1876; also a portrait
of Mr. Bingham. Washington presented ]\Irs. Bingham with a
small portrait of himself painted by the marchioness de Brehan.

Mr. Bingham left three children — Ann Louisa, who married
Alexander Baring; Maria Matilda, married to Henry Baring;

The Bingham Mansion and Lansdowne. 273

and William Bingham, who married in 1822, at Montreal,
Baroness de Vaudreuil. From tliese three marriages a number
of descendants, dukes, earls, and barons, date their lineage — one
of whom was Alexander Baring, son of the great merchant Sir
Francis Baring. He was afterward raised to the peerage as
Baron Lord Ashburton, and was sent to this country, and settled
the North-eastern boundary question, by the treaty so well known
as the Ashburton- Webster treaty, in 1841. The Barings as
bankers have always until recently represented the financial
interests of this country.

The Lansdowne mansion, together with a smaller house erected
on the property, has been occupied by the Barings, and in 1816-
1 7 by Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon and ex-king of
Spain. Then it remained for years unoccupied until it was
burnt by fireworks in the hands of boys. The ruins stood for a
long time, until 1866, when it was bought by a number of
public-spirited gentlemen, ceded to the city, and incorporated
with the Park.

British Barracks, p. 415. — See Penna. Archives, x. 240, 241,
261, 268, 276, 737; and vol. iii. 440, 575. "Barracks for five
thousand troops are building in PJiiladelphia. It was proposed
they should be built at the head of Arch street, on one of the
Proprietor's lots, but Mr. Hockley forewarned them of erecting
any building on the Proprietor's lots, else they must expect to
have them forfeited. They have since purchased lots, and are
going on very fast with their works." {Letter of Copt. D. Clark
to Col. Burd; Shippen's Letter, p. 98.) They stood on Second
street, opposite that now called Tammany street. When digging
a cellar for a building there, they came across huge walls of great
thickness and strength, broad enough for a large-sized wheelbar-
row to stand on, and so hard that they could not pick it with
picks nor crowbars. The British barracks, built before the Rev-
olution, extended from Third street certainly to Second, and most
probably to Front, in that neighborhood. The old Commission-
ers' Hall, on Third street above Tammany, was the officers' quar-
ters.

Camptown, or Campington. — This name was at one time ap-
pli(id to the whole of the district of the Northern Liberties, be-
cause the British barracks were there. The four })lots of ground
at the intersection of Callowhill and New Market streets were
reserved, when the Penns laid out the town of Callowhill, for
market purposes. They afterward became the property of a Nor-
wich market company, which was composed of farmers. In time
the company ceased to take any interest in them, and the market-
houses remained for several years nuisances to the neighborhood.
Finally, the title of the owners was vested in the Northern Lib-
erties, and by law permission was given to sell the ground.
Vol. III.— S

274 Annals of Philadeljjhia.

THE OLD ACADEMY.

The Academy was formally opened January 8, 1751, by the
trustees, the governor, the teachers, and others. Eev. Mr. Peters
preached the sermon. The price of tuition was four pounds per
annum and twenty shillings entrance. David Martin was the
first rector; Theophilus Grew, mathematical master; Paul Jack-
son, ])rofessor of languages ; and David James Dove, teacher of
the English school.

This property, on Fourth street below Arch, was originally
built, under a religious excitement produced by Rev. George
"VVhitefield, "for public worship and a charity-school," in which
any preacher might deliver his doctrines to the people of Phila-
delphia. Xov. 14, 1740, it was conveyed for this ])urpose to
George Whitefield, William Seward, John Stephen Benezet,
Thomas Xoble, Samuel Hazard, Robert Eastburne, James
Read, Edward Evans, and Charles Brockden, as trustees.

Before the building was roofed Whitefield preached there in
1740 sixteen times, and again in 1745 and 1746. He was fol-
lowed by Gilbert and William Tennent, brothers, of the Presby-
terian persuasion, and on account of their opinions called " Xew
Lights." Being asked to acknowledge their errors, they refused,
and separated from the Church in 1741 ; and as some followed
them, it caused a split in the Church. Rev. Samuel Finley and
Gilbert Tennent ministered in the Academy until May, 1752,
when the Second Presbyterian Church, Third and Arch streets,
was ready for occupancy.

The second object for which the building was erected, that of
a charity-school, was not carried out. Franklin, in 1749, believ-
ing the city should have a good academy, issued " Proposals re-
lating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania," raised sub-
scriptions to the amount of five thousand pounds to be paid in five
yearly quotas, and saw the school opened in 1749-50 in Mr.
Allen's house in Second street. It proved successful, and larger
quarters became necessary.

Owing to a vacancy in the board of trustees of " the Xew
Building," which occurred by the death of a Moravian, the re-
maining trustees elected Benjamin Franklin a member. The
church building being in debt, Franklin arranged that the acad-
emy should pay off the debts, keep a portion of the property free
for ever for occasional preachers, and maintain a charity-school.
The deed of transfer of the pro})erty to the new trustees was very
long and precise ; there was to be founded a place of worship
and a free school for poor children ; the new trustees were to
supply the schoolmaster, usher, and schoolmistress, introduce
such j)reachers whom they shall deem qualified, but so that no
particular sect be fixed there, and suffer any regular minister to

The Old Academy, 275

preach who shall sign the articles of religion annexed to the deed,
and always to permit George Whitefield to preach in it whenever
he shall desire. Also the trustees were to have power to found
and erect such a seminary for learning the languages, arts, and
sciences as should seem not to be inconsistent with the original
purposes.

Additional ground was bought, the building was made into two
stories, and divided into rooms, and school was opened in "The
Academy " in 1751, under Rev. Dr. David Martin, who continued
until his death in December of that year, when he was succeeded
by Rev. Francis Allison. The deed of trust was dated in 1749,
but not acknowledged until Nov. 23, 1753. In July of the
latter year the institution Avas incorporated as " The Trustees of
the Academy and Charitable School in the Province of Pennsyl-
vania," which was changed the next year to "The College, Acad-
emy, and Charitable School of Philadelphia." In 1754, Rev.
William Smith, a Scotchman educated in the University of Ab-
erdeen, was made teacher of natural and moral philosophy, and
on the reorganization of the college became provost, and Dr.
Allison was made vice-provost. The first commencement, with
seven graduates, took place in May, 1757, among whom were
Revs. Jacob Duche and Samuel ISIygraw, Francis Hopkinson,
Dr. Hugh Williamson, Dr. John Morgan, and Paul Jackson.
Among the professors and tutors were Rev. Ebenezer Kinners-
ley. Rev. Jacob Duche, Rev. Dr. John Ewing, Charles Thomson,
David J. Dove, and John Beveridge.

The funds of the college were increased by subscriptions here
and abroad. Provost Smith visited England and raised nearly
seven thousand pounds, and others added four thousand two
hundred pounds. With these funds there was erected a long
building running back from Fourth street on the north side of
the main building for a charity school, and in the upper stories
for dormitories for the students.

The house at the south-west corner of Fourth and Arch streets
was built, in 1760, by the University of Pennsylvania for the
residence of its provost, Rev. Dr. Smith, and Dr. John Ewing
lived there many years. Eyre & Landell w'ere originally boat-
and ship-builders in Penn street, near Maiden. They opened
the dry-goods store at Fourth and Arch streets in 1839 or 1840.
The successors to the firm, under the same name, were there
until about 1873, when they were succeeded by Edward E. Eyre
& Son. The latter went out of business some time in 1875.
The house is still standing.

The medical department was established in 1765; Dr. John
Morgan was elected professor of the theory and practice of
physic, and Dr. William Sln^pen of anatomy and surgery, Dr.
Shippen having given up his private class for the ])urpose.
Some years later a special building for this department, called

276 Annals of Philadelphia.

Anatomical Hall, was erected on Fifth street below Chestnut,
adjoining the present Dispensary building.

The peaceable progress of the institution was interrupted dur-
ing the Revolution. Dr. Smith and some of the trustees and
teachers were supjwsed to be affected with too much Toryism.
The Assembly in 1779 inquired into the matter, President Reed
being active in it. Dr. Smith made a long reply. But an act
was passed annulling the charter and creating a new institution,
the University of Pennsylvania, Avith Dr. Ewing at its head as
provost, and taking possession of the property. This latter was
declared illegal in 1789 by the council of censors, and the Legis-
lature restored the franchises of the college. The college was
reorganized with some of the old ])rofes.sors. The university
carried on in new quarters for two years, but the two were again
united Sept. 30, 1791, by act of Legislature, and were hence-
forward known as the University of Pennsylvania. The trustees
purchased in July, 1800, the elegant mansion built for the Presi-
dent on Ninth street, on the lot extending from Market to
Chestnut street. The university removed to the new quartei-s
in 1802.

The old building was devoted to its original purposes ; the
academy was carried on for many years by Rev% Samuel Wylle
Crawford, a most excellent and thorough teacher, who laid the
groundwork of education well. He had several teachers under
hira. Although he Avas thought by many to be rather a severe
man, who did not spare tlie rod, Ave consider him to have been
thoroughly just and earnest In his work, and, Avith mauA* othei^s
now living, Ave haA'e cause to thank him. The ground in front
of the academy Avas enclosed with a high Avail and was used as a
playground.

Tiie southern half of the building Avas sold to the Union
Metiiodlst Episco})al Church, who used It for years, and about
1840 tore down their portion and built the church now standing.
The celebrated Bishop Coke ])reached here when in this country.

The northern half of the building AA'as used as school-rooms,
and in the second story Avas the hall for religious purposes. The
charity-schools AA'cre continued in the old building on the north
under the charge of Dr. Joseph Bullock and John McKinley.
Finally, the remainder of the buildings Avere torn down and
stores were erected, Avhich are a source of revenue.

A room for preaching up stairs is reserved under the contract
AvIth Whitefield. Formerly, there AA'as a row of buildings along
the north side of the yard, occupied by persons connected AvIth
the school. Dr. Rogers, " Wiggy " Davidson, " professor of hu-
manity," resided on the Fourth street part of the lot. At this
time the Quaker burylng-ground opposite was surrounded with a
low brick Avail, with a soai)stone coping, on Avhich the boys used
to run ; the graves Avere seen above the Avail.

The Old Academy. 277

The congregation of the Second Presbyterian Church, under
Rev. Gilbert Tennent, began in this building in 1743, and con-
tinued there till they moved to their new church, north-west
corner of Third and Arch streets, which was opened June 7,
1752, with two sermons by Gilbert Tennent, which were pub-
lished by Bradford. The Academy was about that time spoken
of by the church as " the New Building." My great-grand-
father, Samuel Hazard, was one of the first elders, and an infant
brother of my grandfixther was buried there ; from which I sup-
pose there was a burial-lot also, and which was perhaps the first
burying-ground of tlie Second Presbyterian Church.

For account of Dr. Smith's proceedings in England see Col.
Bees., viii. 438-447.

A university is a collection of colleges under a general govern-
ment, and not one institution. The University of Pennsylvania
is an incorporation of two separate institutions, which may now be
said to embrace four institutions — a school of arts, a school of ,
medicine, a school of law, and a school of science — and others are
proposed.

The university occupied the " President's House" on Ninth street,
and which the President refused to occupy as too grand and expen-
sive for him. This and an octagonal building of the medical de-
partment, which had been erected in 1807, were torn down, and
two large buildings especially erected for the university — the north-
ern one for the literary department, and the southern one for the
medical. The lot occupied nearly three-fourths of the ground be-
tween Mark^ and Chestnut streets. The character of the institu-
tion stood very high. In 1874 the lot was sold to the United
States, on which they have erected a superb building of Virginia
granite for a post-office and courts. The University of Pennsyl-
vania, with increased endowment from the sale of their lot and
large private subscriptions, have erected most commodious build-
ings in the Collegiate Gothic style of Brandywine serpentine stone
in West Philadelphia, on ground formerly belonging to the city.
Finished and opened October 11, 1872.

The trustees of the University of Pennsylvania have recently
disbanded what is familiarly known as the "University School"
— a charity-school established by the founders of the said univer-
sity— a charity which has been conducted with great prudence
and skill, and which has been of incalculable advantage to many
who have therein obtained an education equal to that afforded by
our common schools. The girls' department for a long period
has been in charge of two estimable ladies ; and as an evidence of
their success it may be stated that but recently the No. 1 graduate
of the Girls' Normal School of this city was a pupil in this charity-
school and transferred from thence to the High School. It is
stated that the trustees are of opinion that in the present condition
of the public schools the continuation of these free schools is no

278 Annals of Philadelphia.

longer necessary ; tlmt the common schools afford opportunities
for children in all classes of the community to obtain an educa-
tion ; and that it will be of more advantage to the cause of educa-
tion to apply the fund to the maintenance of poor students at the
university. The schools have undoubtedly done great good, but
they have been gradually declining for some years past. Fifty
years ago there were three of these schools in operation in Fourth
street below Arch, adjoining the old Academy and in a building
belonging to the institution. The boys' school had probably one
hundred and fifty pupils, under John McKinley ; the girls' school,
sixty or seventy, the teacher being Mrs. Knowles. There was a
second boys' school established under a bequest of John Keble.
This was known as " Keble's Charity." Franklin tells the story
in his Autobiography. The academy, established 1749, to which
large subscriptions were made through his energy, was intended
to teach the higher branches of learning, and was not a free school.
David Martin was rector. In 1750, Franklin, as president of the
trustees, reported the condition of the institution to City Councils,
and said of the trustees, " And they have engaged to open a
charity-school within two years for the instruction of poor chil-
dren gratis in reading, writing, and the first principles of |)iety."
The schools of the academy were opened April 8th, 1751, but the
free schools were not opened until September of that year. The
charity-schools therefore owe their institution to the academy, and
they were opened by the subscribers for the benefit of the poorer
classes of people. The charity-schools were established by the
trustees of their own goodwill, and have been carrjed on to the
present time. There can therefore be no doubt of their authority
to discontinue these schools if they see proper, and to employ the
funds for other uses.

CARPENTERS' HALL.

P. 419. This old structure was for many years better known
to our citizens as an auction-store and horse-mart under Charles
J. Wolbert, and afterward his son Frederick Wolbert, at least to
1856, than for its historical associations. But the Society of Car-
penters, to whom the property belongs, in 1857 took the old hall
in hand, and while fitting it up in handsome style adhered as
closely as possible to the original plan of the building; and Car-
penters' Hall is now nearly in the same condition it wiis in when
the historical events occurred which give it importance.

In the first story the first Continental Congress assembled, and
aniong the furniture preserved that was in use by Congress are
two very high-backed quaint arm-chairs. The satin banner
borne by the society in the Federal procession of 1788, and that

Carpenters' Hall. 279

borne in the procession of 1832, the centennial anniversary of
the birthday of Washington, are also displayed.

The upper part of the building has a library and meeting-
room and rooms for the janitor's family. In the library are
several of the original leather fire-buckets. We give a chrono-
logical summary of the most important events connected with
this hall:

In 1724 the first Carpenters' Company was formed for obtain-
ing instruction in arcliitecture and assisting poor members' widows
and children, the officers a master, assistant master, and wardens.
In 1752 another Carpenters' Company joined it. In 1736 the
first book for the library was purchased; in 1763 a commit-
tee was appointed to look out for a lot for a hall. This was
bought in 1768 — sixty-six feet on Chestnut street by two hun-
dred and fifty-five feet in depth, for an annual ground-rent of
one hundred and seventy-six Spanish dollars; part of the lot
was afterward sold off, leaving an entrance through Carpenters'
court.

In 1770 the hall was commenced, and the first meeting was
held the following year, though the building was not entirely fin-
ished until 1791, owing to lack of funds.

July 15, 1774, a conference of committees from all parts of the
Province met here, and passed resolutions asserting the rights of
the colonies, condemning the conduct of Parliament, and recom-
mended delegates to Congress be apj)ointed.

In 1774 the first Provincial Assembly and the first Continent-
al Congress met in the hall, the latter on September 5th, remain-
ing until October 26th, when Congress moved to the State House.
On September 5th the delegates from eleven Provinces met at the
City Tavern, in Second street above Walnut, and went up to Car-
penters' Hall to inspect it, it having been offered for their use by
the company. It was soon approved, and Congress agreed to
meet there.

The Congress was composed of such men as Washington,
Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and Peyton Randolph from
Virginia; Mifilin, Ross, and Dickinson from Pennsylvania; the
two Adamses from Massachusetts ; and Charles Thomson was
secretary. The deliberations of these men and others nearly as
prominent from the other colonies resulted in the formation of a
national government, which from that time became a stron^lv
united one.

Here Duch6 offered his celebrated prayer, and read the Collect
of the day, the thirty-fifth Psalm; the latter seemed appropri-
ate, as a rumor was circulated that the British fleet had bombard-
ed Boston. As John Adams said, " It seemed as if Heaven had
ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning;" and he added,
" I never heard a better prayer."

After the First Congress vacated the building it was occupied

280 Annals of Philadelphia.

during the Revolution by various bodies representing the Prov-
ince, such as the provincial convention of 1775 and the Com-
mittee of Safety to , enforce measures recommended l)y Congress
and to devise " ways and means.'' The Philadelphia Library
occupied the upper story from 1775 until 1791, though the li-
brary-room was used during the Revolution as a hospital for
sick American soldiers. In 1775 the Assembly met here to at-
tend the funeral of Peyton Randolph, the first president of
Congress.

The British took possession of the hall in 1777, and continued
to hold it during their stay in Philadelphia. The soldiers made
a target of the vane on the cupola, and several holes were drilled
through it by their balls.

In 1787 the hall was occupied by General Henry Knox as
commissary-general of military stores; from 1791 to 1797 by the
first Bank of the United States, and afterward by the Bank of
Pennsylvania until their house on Second street above Walnut
was finished. This bank had previously occupied the Masonic
Lodge building in Lodge alley. It was during its occupancy
of the Carpenters' Hall that the Bank of Pennsylvania was
robbed in 1798 of $162,821.61. In 1798 it was used by the
United States as a land-office, and from 1802 to 1819 as a cus-
tom-house. General John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, General
John Shee, and General John Steel were collectors; William
Bache and James Glentworth surveyors ; General William Mac-
pherson and Samuel Clarke naval officers. From 1817 to 1821
it was used by the second Bank of the United States, William
Jones president and Jonathan Smith cashier. In 1822 it Mas
used by the Musical Fund Society ; in 1825 by the Franklin
Institute; the Apprentices' Library used the second story for
seven and a half years; in 1827 it was used by the Hicksite
Society of Friends as a meeting-house until the meeting-house
in Cherry street near Fifth was built. For twenty-nine years
C. J. Wolbert sold furniture and had his horse-market here, and
Johnny Willetts, tiie ))eculiar and well-remembered schoolmaster,
held sway ; and in 1857 the Carpenters' Society again took pos-
session of their ancient hall, and have, ever since its restoration
to former appearances, kept it open for exhibition as an historic
relic, as it is only second in interest to Independence Hall. A
volume of fifty-seven pages Mas published in 1858, giving a
history of the hall and the society. The architect of the build-
ing was Robert Smith, and not Nathan Allen Smith, as has been
sometimes stated.

The one hundred and fifty-third anniversary of the Carpenters'
Company was held in Carpenters' Hall in January, 1878. Seventy-
six out of the ninety members Mere present and sat doM'u at the
annual dinner.

The report of the Centennial Committee, preparing the ancient

Carpenters^ Hall. 281

edifice for the reception of Centennial visitors, was read. This
report shows that over seventy thousand copies of the little work
entitled Carpenters' Hall and its Historic Memories had been given
away to visitors. It is estimated that at least half a million of
people paid a visit to this time-honored building during the Ex-
hibition. The names and residences of seventy-two thousand vis-
itors are registered in fifteen large books, but as these registers
were kept on the second floor, not more than one person out of
ten was able to go up stairs on account of the crowd, and conse-
quently did not sign the register.

One little instance Avill suffice to illustrate the great interest
shown by visitors in everything connected with the hall. In the
Historic Memoirs mention is made of the prayer offered by Rev.
Mr. Duch6 of Christ Church when the first Congress of the
United States assembled in the hall.

Mr. Jay of New York and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina
opposed the motion made by Mr. Cushing, that the session should
be opened with prayer, when Mr. Samuel Adams arose and said
" that he was no bigot, and could hear a prayer from any gentle-
man of piety and virtue who was at the same time a friend to his
countrv ; he was a stranger in Philadelphia, but had heard that
Mr. Duche (Duchay they pronounce it) deserved that character ;
and therefore he moved tiiat Mr. Duche, an Episcopal clergyman,
might be desired to read prayers to Congress to-morrow morn-
ing." The motion was seconded and passed in the affirmative.

" Mr. Randolph, our president, waited upon Mr. Duch^, and
received for answer that if his health would perinit he certainly
would. Accordingly next morning he appeared with his clerk
and in his pontificals, and read several prayers in the Established
form, and then read the Psalter for the 7th day of September,
whicli was the thirty-fifth Psalm. You must remember that this
was the next morning after we had heard of the horrible cannon-
ade of Boston. It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm
to be read on that morning."

On one of the desks in the hall a Bible published by the Amer-
ican Bible Society at a comparatively recent date was placed for
the convenience of visitors who might wish to read over the
thirty-fifth Psalm, spoken of above, but the notion being started
that this was the "original Bible" from which Mr. Duche read,
the relic-hunters tore out piece by piece not only the entire Psalm,
but other portions of the book, and now the Bible, all torn and
soiled, is retained in the library as one of the relies of the Cen-
tennial year.

The secretary's report showed that three members of the com-
pany had died during the year, and that two had been admitted.
The oldest member, Moses Lancaster, ninety-six years, residing
at Newtown, was not able to be present, but John INI. Ogden,
aged eighty-six, the second member on the list, and D. H. Flick-

24*

282 Annals of Philadelphia.

wir, tlic third in point of age, were j^resent. It also mentions the
fact that William Wirt Henry of Richmond, Virginia, has pre-
sented tlie society with a mezzotint of liis grandfather, the cele-
brated Patrick Henry.

During the occujjancy of the Carpenters' Hall by the Bank of
Pennsylyania in 1798, to Ayhich it had removed from its former
premises, the Masonic Lodge building in Lodge alley, it was
robbed September 1st, 1798, in the evening, of the large sum of
§162,821.61. The suspicion of the officers of the bank was di-
rected upon Patrick Lyon, because of his known skill and of the
following circumstances : Sixteen months before the robbery he
liad been employed to make two doors for the vault of the bank;
at the time he cautioned the officers that the inner doors were in-
sufficient, and recommended something stronger. His advice was
not taken, and in August of 1798 he was again employed to re-
pair the locks upon the two inner doors. At this time the yel-
low fever, which was raging, drove every one from the city who
could get away, and Lyon with an apprentice left the city a week
afterward, and stayed at Lewes, Delaware. The boy sickened
and died of the yellow fever, and Lyon attended to his burial.
Two weeks after the robbery Lyon heard of it, and that he was
suspected. He immediately left Lewes and walked to the city,
as no vehicle could be had on account of the embargo by the yel-
low fever. He called at the house of John Clement Stocker, a
director, and said he would meet the officers there next day. On
the following morning he met the president, Mr. Fox, and the
cashier, Mr. Smith, and Robert Wharton, mayor, at Mr. Stocker's
house. He gave them in a clear, straightforward manner an ac-
count of every hour, and proved that on the night of the robbery
he was attending the sick boy. His testimony and manner were
in vain. They judged him to be an accomplice; he was impris-
oned in the Walnut Street Prison for three months, his bail, one
hundred and fiftv thousand dollars, beino; too larcje to be raised.
Although, after he had been incarcerated two months, surrounded
by and exposed to the yellow fever, one of the real thieves was
captured, they still detained him on the plea of being an accom-
plice. The real culprits proved to be Thomas Cunningham, the
porter of the bank, and a carpenter named Isaac Davis. The
porter shortly after the robbery took the yellow fever and died
within a week. Davis was arrested, and disgorged over one hun-
dred and fifty-nine thousand dollars, and was allowed to escape.
Xot until three weeks later was Lyon let out on two thousand
dollars bail, and an indictment carried before the grand jury, who
ignored it. Lyon brought suit againt Fox, Stocker, and Haines
the constable, but it was not till late in 1805 it came to trial,
and Lyon got judgment for twelve thousand dollars. A new
trial was granted, which M-as kept offi till the spring of 1807,
but the matter was compromised by the payment by the bank

Peter S. Duponceau. 283

of nine thousand dollars to Lyon nearly nine years after his
arrest !

OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

P. 423. The office for the Secretary of Foreign Affiiirs was
demolished in March, 1846, as well as the small office south of
it, both represented in the engraving on p. 419. The house of
P. S. Du})onceau, at the corner of Sixtli and Chestnut, a hand-
some, old-fashioned brick structure, which stood back from the
line of the street, with a one-story office north of it, was also
demolished at this time — all, with another building at the south
of the " office," giving way to a new structure erected for stores
and offices by Abraham Hart of the late firm of Carey & Hart,
booksellers. It was five stories in height and named " Hart's
Buildings." They were nearly destroyed by a terrible fire in
the winter of 1851 — December 26th, the evening of the banquet
to Louis Kossuth at Musical Fund Hall — as well as the build-
ings on the other side of Sixth street and known as the " Shake-
speare Buildings," adjoining the Chestnut Street Theatre. This
fire occasioned the death of W. W. Hayley, a lawyer, part author
of Troubat & Hayky's Practice, just returned from Europe with
his Avife, 7iee Miss Haldeman of Harrisburg; also of another
young man, John Baker, a watchman — both crushed by falling
walls and burned to death; their bones alone and Hayley's watch
were found. By request of the widow, the bones of both were
buried in one coffin. The building was rebuilt as it now stands,
and is owned by A. J. Drexel, Esq.

PETER S. DUPONCEAU.

Peter Stephen Duponceau, an eminent scholar and lawyer, was
a native of France, having been born June 3d, 1760, in the Isle
of Rhe, where his father iiad a military command, the son being
also destined for that profession. On the death of his father, by
his mother's persuasion, he entered the ecclesiastical order and
became the Abbe Duponceau. In 1755 he abandoned it and
repaired to Paris, where he lived by teaching and translating,
understanding the English and Italian languages. Here he
made the acquaintance of Baron Steuben, and accompanied him
to the United States as private secretary and aide-de-camp in
1777. His first experience of American military life was at
Valley Forge; he served ably for two years. In 1779 he left the
army, and became a citizen of Pennsylvania in 1781, and the

284 Annals of Philadelphia.

followiiifj year was appointed secretary to ^Ir. Livingston, Secre-
tary of Foreign Affairs. The business was transacted in thau
narrow two-story building, wliich most of us remember, on the
east side of Sixth street, adjoining Mr. Duponceau's one-story
office.

At the close of the war Mr. Duponceau studied law. In 1788
he married and led a retired life, practising his profession. In
that year the Federal Constitution was promulgated ; Mr. Rawle
and Mr. Duponceau took opposite sides, the latter belonging to
what was called the Anti-Federal party. He afterward said, " I
thought I was right ; subsequent events have proved that I was
in the wrong."

For many years he occupied a prominent place at the bar, and
was frequently employed in the Supreme Court of the United
States at Washington*' whither he went with his eminent con-
temporaries, Messrs. Rawle, Tilghman, Ingersoll, and Dallas.
He thus writes of these journeys; "The court sat there, as it
does at present, or did until lately, in the month of February, so
that we had to travel in the depth of winter, through bad roads,
in the midst of rain, hail, and snow, in no very comfortable way.
Nevertheless, as soon as w£ were out of the city and felt the flush
of air, we were like school-boys on the playground on a holidav,
and we began to kill time by all the means that our imagination
could suggest. Flashes of wit shot their coruscations on all
sides; puns of the genuine Philadelphia stamp were handed
about; old college-stories were revived; macaronic Latin was
spoken with gre-at purity ; songs were sung, even classical songs,
among which I recollect the famous bacchanalian of the arch-
deacon of Oxford, ' Mihi est propositum in taberna mori ;' in
short, we might have been taken for anything but the grave
counsellors of the celebrated bar of Philadelphia."

On their return from one of these expeditions the merriment
of these venerable persons became so excessive as to upset the
driver, who lost his reins; the horses ran away at a frightful
rate ; all but Mr. Duponceau leaped from the stage, and were
more or less bruised ; he kept his seat and took snuff with
mechanical regularity and characteristic abstraction. " We had,"
he said, "a narrow escape. I am now left alone in the stage of
life, which they were doomed also to leave before me. I hope I
shall meet them again in a safer place."

Mr. Duponceau made himself at home in this community ; he
mastered the language completely, and spoke with the slightest
French accent. He admired our political and social creeds, and
reverenced the founder and early lawgivers of the State. He
suggested and took an active part in establishing the " Society
for Commemorating the Landing of William Penn," which after-
ward, unfortunately, died of exaggeration and collapse.

The society met originally, with great and appropriate simpli-

Peter 8. Duponceau. 285

city, in the small, low, two-story building in Letitia court, then
kept as a tavern or eating-house by a worthy Irishman of the
name of Doyle. A circumstance occurred at the outset which
was characteristic of Mr. Duponceau's absence of mind. A
committee was appointed, of which he was chairman, to draw
up a constitution and by-laws. After waiting some time for a
summons from the chairman of the committee to retire and en-
ter upon the subject, they were surprised to see him rise and take
fi'om his pocket a manuscript of some length, and announce that
the committee had retired and considered the subject, and had
drawn up the requisite documents and directed him to report
them. All this had passed through his mind, and he thought it
had passed through the committee. Of course they acquiesced
in the report, and the constitution thus engendered was adopted
by acclamation.

Mr. Duponceau had a reverence for the primitive days and
early inhabitants of Pennsylvania, and delivered a discourse
" On the Early History of Pennsylvania " before the Philo-
sophical Society in 1821. Among his other acquirements, he
was a great philologist, and deeply versed, so to speak, in the
comparative anatomy of languages. His treatises upon the
Chinese tongue display great learning and ingenuity, and with
his other writings acquired for him a distinguished reputation
abroad and at home. He was president of the American Philo-
sophical Society, of the Atiieneeum, and of the Historical So-
ciety, and member of many literary and scientific societies — to
which he left both money and books.

Mr. Duponceau, with his usual foresight and patriotism, gave
much thought and attention to the advantages that might arise
to this country from extending the culture of the white mulberry
tree and the propagation of the silk-worm, for which the great
variety of soil and climate offers great facilities. With M.
d'Homergue of Nismes, France, who came over at Mr. Du-
ponceau's suggestion, he established a filature under his direc-
tion in 1831. They made a beautiful American flag of their
silk and presented it to the Legislature. The committee ap-
pointed, with Mr. Ingersoll at its head, spoke in the most flat-
tering manner of the valuable experiments of Duponceau, prov-
ing it might become a great staple of this country, and, citing
the instance of cotton, and " the fact that but forty-six years ago
an American vessel, with cotton on board, was seized at Liver-
pool under the impression that cotton was not the growth of
America, and also the fact that last year (1830) more than six
hundred and forty thousand bags of American cotton were im-
ported at that port, said there is nothing unreasonable in the an-
ticipation that a similar development may attend American silk."
What would the committee say now to the amount of cotton sent
to Liverpool yearly, and to the amount of silk raised and manu-

286 Annals of Pldladelphla.

factured in this country? Much of it in a part of the country
then an almost unknown land !

Mr. Duponceau died April 1st, 1844, aged eighty-four, and
Avas buried in the Arch street Presbyterian ground, in Arch
abov^e Fifth. The pastor, Rev. Dr. Cuyler, delivered an address
at the grave. An eulogium was delivered before the American
Piiilosophical Society by Dr. Robley Dunglison, who was his
physician, in the Musical Fund Hall.

In 1784, Mr. Duponceau applied for and obtained the office of
notary-public and interpreter of French and Spanish. (See his
application and testimonials, Penna. Archives, x. 351-354.) A
good likeness of him may be seen in the Historical Society rooms,
as well as a silhouette, full length.

P. 425. — See a notice of the discovery and the virtues of the
waters in Penna. Chronicle, May 17-24, 1773, and Penna. Ga-
zette, May 19, 1773. It proved a hoax.

FORT WILSON.

P. 425. — This riot was a notable one. It originated from the
fact that Robert Morris and Blair McClenachan had imported
some flour in a time of scarcity, and this flour was taken for the
use of the French fleet. A mob of anti-monopolists posted pla-
cards threatening monopolists and defenders of treason, James
Wilson having defended two men accused of treason. At this
time (September, 1779) Continental currency was very much de-
pressed, and the prices of the necessaries of life were very high.
Meetings pro and con. were held, and many of the privates of
the militia banded together to redress their wrongs. On the 4th
of October the privates marched down to the City Tavern, in
Second street above Walnut, where they supposed some of the
obnoxious merchants might be found, but not finding them,
they marched uj> Walnut street to Third, to Wilson's house.
Accounts, as usual, ditfcr how the affray was brought on, but
there were twenty-six gentlemen in the house, and as the mob
were passing and hurrahing Captain Camj)bell threw up a win-
dow and brandished or tired a pistol, while he addressed them in
an excited manner. The mol) turned, fired upon the peo{)le in
the house, and broke open the door with a sledge. Colonel
Chambers was bayoneted in the entry, but finally the assailants
were re])ulsed, just as eight members of the City Troop dashed
down Third street from Chestnut. This put the mob to flight,
and other troopers ajipearing on the scene, the mob was disj>ersed.
Major Lenox, who had before this taken an active part against
the menaces of the populace, and who led this attack, drew their

Friends' Almshouse. 287

enmity upon himself. Captain Campbell was killed on the spot.
He had been married only one week. His widow became the
wife of the late Alexander Fullerton.

In this building also afterward resided for many years William
Lewis, Esq., a celebrated lawyer, with a remarkable nose ; a good
likeness of him" may be seen in tlie library-room of the bar, at
the south-east corner of Sixth and Walnut streets. In warm
weather he might very frequently be seen walking bareheaded in
front of his house, and always puffing his cigar. He seldom went
to church, exce})ting when Rev. Dr. John Mason of New York
preached ; who, it is said, he always made it a point to hear,
he being a very celebrated preacher.

For various other names in the house see Col. Recs., vol. xii.
There a Mark Bird is mentioned. For several letters on the
subject see Fenna. Archives, vol. vii. p. 732, 735, and 744 ; also
Reg. Penna., i. 316, and Biography of Signers.

FRIENDS' ALMSHOUSE.

P. 427.— Mr. Watson's statement that John Martin left this
property to the Friends in consideration of their snpporting him
for life is hardly warranted by the facts. Friend Martin, a
tailor, was a man well-to-do in this world, certainly in city lots,
and his will would prove that he did not even bequeath his
property to go after his death for any particular |)nrpose, save by
implication. He died in November, 1702, and bequeathed all
his property to Thomas Chalkley, Ralph Jackson, and John
Michener for their own use. But by the records of Friends'
Monthly Meeting, held on the 27th of the same month, it appears
he intended " his estate should be disposed of for the use of poor
Friends, according to this Meeting's directions." The executors
declared in 1714 that they held the two lots of ground for the
use of the society and for the habitation and succor of poor and
unfortunate members, and for want of such poor to inhabit them
that the premises should be let and the rents applied to tiie bene-
fit of poor Quakers.

Upon this ])roperty the Friends built in 1713 several small
houses one story high, with a high peaked roof and a large high
chimney. In 1729 they erected a long, low stone house, with
high basement, one story, and garret, and tall chimneys, with an
extra story over one-third the front. The front extended the
full width of the lot. The entrance through an archway passed
into the garden, which was well shaded and planted witii herbs,
flowers, and vegetables. Here the elder members of the Friends
]>assed their lives in peace and quietness until the removal of the
buildings.

288 Annak of Philadelphia.

At the M'estern extremity of the front stood for many years
a quaint low house, with a door and two hirge windows oc-
cupying nearly tlie whole front, and surmounted with a very
sloping roofj with a curiously-built garret-window. There Avere
high steps and two cellar-doors, possibly put tiiere when the
grade of the street was lowered. Here lived Joseph A. Wig-
more, a bottler, and after him his widow, a celebrated molasses-
candy maker. On the eastern extremity of the almshouse were
two large tine residences, the one next the almshouse occupied by
Edward Stiles, and the one below it by Benjamin Chew.

Tiie venerable front building was pulled down in 1841, and a
range of fine brick offices was built upon the site. For many
years the buildings in the garden in the rear, with their inmates,
were maintained, but the spirit of improvement, helped by the
great value of the lots, caused them to be torn down and the
high ground reduced to the level of \yalnut street. U])on the
site the trustees erected in 1876 a number of handsome brick
offices in two rows fronting on a new court ojiening from Walnut
street to Willing's alley, and denominated Walnut place. The
first story of one of the houses on Walnut street was taken out
to make the necessary opening.

The following is a description of the buildings as they existed
in February, 1876, just before their demolition:

While Commerce has been so hard at work in the lower part
of Walnut street that she has completely hidden from sight the
old St. Joseph's Church, darkening its windows with the high
brick walls of great railroad establishments, she has left almost
untouched a singularly quiet spot Avithi,n a stone's throw of the
busy thoroughfare — a little square so hidden by overshadowing
walls that the front might be passed hundreds of times without
a suspicion of its whereabouts. Entered through a little green
gate and a little dark alley is a square piece of ground, a couple
of hundred feet, perhaps, each way, between Third and Fourth
streets and Walnut and Willing's alley, containing three anti-
quated buildings and one of comparatively modern shape. Brick,
stone, and gravel walks divide the grounds in all directions, and
the remains of little flower-beds may be seen here and there, and
occasionally a low marble post set deep in the earth, that might
have been either a gravestone or a gatepost. Two of the oldest
of the buildings, quaint, two-story bricks, front on Willing's
alley, the ten or fifteen feet between them having been filled up
with a two-story wooden shed. North of these, in the centre of
the grounds, is the most modern of the buildings — brick, like tlie
first, but square at the corners and ])lumb in apj)earance, with a
shingle roof that might have been jiut on within the last fifty
years or so, and this, com])ared M'ith the rest of the place, is
modern indeed. North of this, again, and within a very short
stone's throw of Walnut street, is the oddest little house of them

Friends^ Almshouse. 289

all, if, indeed, it is not the oddest that ever was built. A thick
bed of green moss covers the southern side of the roof, green even
with the thermometer reaching for zero, and to the eastern wall
clings a rare growth of " the ivy green," The roof reaches far
down in front, making a covering for the front door, and beside
the solitary front window is an old-fashioned, heavy bench, so
comfortable-looking that it is hard to keep from sitting down on it.
A Avidespreading elm tree hovers over this cozy nook, with a
pleasant suggestion of summer shades and autumn leaves, and the
whole little place is as comfortable to the eye as it must be to the
two old ladies who brew their tea and stroke their cat within its
walls.

The buildings that front on Willing's alley do not differ ma-
terially from hundreds of others that were built in the good old
days of Benjamin Franklin. They may be a little older per-
haps, and a little more ready to tumble down, but this is all.
They are just as small as the rest of the buildings of that historic
period. In each building there might be room for two small
families, with another, possibly, in the shed. The house in the
centre of the yard is divided into three small dwellings, making
room for seven families in all, and these were built and supported
by the charitable Quakers for the housing of such peo})le of the
faith as were unable to provide for themselves. When the charity
was started, in 1720, the attendants of St. Josepli's Church, one
of whose lofty walls overshadows the little buildings, gave it the
name of " the Quaker Nunnery," and this in time was changed
to "the Quaker Almshouse," accommodations having been pro-
vided at one time for thirteen families. But when property on
Walnut street grew too valuable to hold, the front of the lot was
sold, and now only the four buildings remain.

For the last hundred and fifty-six years these buildings have
been occupied by tenants who paid no rent — not even by Friends
always, but always by families who deserved to be helped. But
though they lived in John Martin's charity-houses, they were not
beggars. A watchmaker named Brewer did a flourishing busi-
ness in one of the little tenements long ago, and there a school-
master once taught his little school. Many will remember old
Nancy Brewer, who raised her herbs on the Martin " farm " and
sold them, but who, unable to keep pace with the old place in the
race against time, gave it up one day many a year ago, and now
rests with " 94" chiselled on her tombstone. Another old resi-
dent was " Crazy Norah," who, after making sport for half a dozen
generations of school-boys, found her reason and her Maker to-
gether from the quiet Quaker settlement. Popular belief will
have it that it was in this friendly retreat that Longfellow's Evan-
geline found her long-lost Gabriel after the two had been torn
from their Acadian home. The poet thus describes the place of
the meeting and death of Evangeline and Gabriel :
Vol. III.— T 25

290 ' Annals of Philadelphia,

EVANGELINE.

In that beautiful land which is washed by the Delaware's waters,
Guarding in sylvan shades the name of Penn, the apostle,
Stands on tlie banks of its beautiful stream the city he founded.
Tliere all tlie air is balmy, and the peach is the emblem of beauty,
And the streets still re-echo tiie names of the trees of the forest.
As if they fain would appease the Dryads whose haunts they molested.
There from the troubled sea had Evangeline landed an exile,
Finding among the children of Penn a home and a country.

*******
Then it came to pass that a pestilence fell upon the city.

*******
But all perished alike beneath the scourge of His anger ; —
Only, alas ! the poor who had neither friends nor attendants
Crept away to die in the almshouse, home of the homeless.
Then in the suburbs it stood, in tiie midst of meadows and woodlands,
Now the city surrounds it ; but still, witli its gateway and wicket,
Meek, in the midst of splendor, its humble walls seem to echo
Softly, the words of the Lord : " The poor ye have always with you."

*******
Thus, on a Sabbath morn, through the streets, deserted and silent,
Wending her quiet way, she entered the door of the almshouse.
Sweet on the summer air was the odor of flowers in the garden,
And she paused on her way to gather the fairest among them,
That the dying once more might rejoice in their fragrance and beauty.

*******
On the pallet before her was stretched the form of an old man,
Long, and thin, and gray were the locks that shaded his temples.

*******
Heard he that cry of pain, and, through the hush that succeeded,
Whispered a gentle voice, in accents tender and saint-like,
" Gabriel ! O my beloved !" and died away into silence.

*******
Still stands the forest primeval ; but far away from its shadow,
Side by side, in tlieir nameless graves, the lovers are sleeping ;
Under the humble walls of the little Catholic churchyard,
In the heart of the city, they lie, unknown and unnoticed.

The two old ladies who live in the quaint little house are direct
descendants of a man who many a year ago was the mayor of
Philadelphia. But their quiet home will soon be broken up, for
within a few M'ceks John Martin's charity-houses will have to
make way for more pretentious buildings, wherein will reign the
master whose slaves vie with each other in getting rich quickly
at somebody else's expense.

The Baptisterion , p. 430. — There was a building erected at tlie
wharf on the Schuylkill at Spruce street for tlie Baptisterion,
which is still standing ; but it has been altered into two small
dwelling-houses, numbered 306 and 308 South Twenty-Fourth
street. The original door faced Spruce street, but it has been
bricked up for years.

The Schuylkill Fishing Company. 291

THE SCHUYLKILL FISHING COMPANY.

One of the peculiar institutions of Philadelphia, particularly
one for the purposes of conviviality and exercise, is the "Schuyl-
kill Fishing Company of the State in Schuylkill," founded in
1732 by the name of "The Colony in Schuylkill" by a few of
the original settlers, many of them emigrants with Penn to the
New World. It has flourished in full vigor in the romantic
solitudes of the river, the most ancient and highly respectable
social society existing in the United States,

The Colonial Hall in which the meetings of the young colonists
were held was on the estate of " Eaglesfield," judiciously selected
in a wood on the western bank of the stream, and now in Fair-
mount Park, between " Solitude," Penn's estate, and " Sweet-
brier," the seat of Samuel Breck. The fine old mansion is now
demolished ; it was generally called Egglesfield. Here they re-
mained for ninety years, until 1822, when the damming of the
river at Fairmount destroyed the perch- and rock-fishing, and
obliged them to emigrate to tide-water near Rambo's Rock,
opposite Bartram's celebrated Botanical Gardens.

In 1732 and many years after a dense forest of majestic timber
lay between their hall and the built portions of the city, and
afforded rare sport to the members, who were mostly sportsmen
as well as anglers, and thus they contributed game to their larder.

They held two stated meetings each year, in March and Oc-
tober, for business purposes. The stated and first gala-day of
the sporting season was held on the first of May, and meetings
for fowling and fishing were held on Thursdays, once every two
weeks, until the election in October, when the season terminated.
They adopted a common seal, and a set of rules which were
strictly adhered to. The officers chosen were a governor, five
members of Assembly, a sheriff, coroner, and a secretary, acting
as treasurer also. In these officers were combined the executive,
legislative, and judicial functions of this self-created government.
The repast served at the annual elections consisted of rounds of
beef, barbecued pig, sirloin steaks, fish and fowl, accompanied
with flowing bowls of good punch, lemonade, and madeira, and
pipes of tobacco. Tickets were issued to the voters, which
entitled the holder to a vote and a seat at the Banquet on i)ay-
ment of the tax of five to seven shillings and sixpence. A good
turtle, costing sometimes as much as £4 10s., and a barbecue,
were also appendages at the election dinners, to which friends
were invited, eighty-four frequently sitting down.

In 1747 they built a court-house on the slope of Warner's
Hill, paying an annual rent to William Warner of three fresh
sunfish. He was baron, as owner of the occupied soil, an honor-
ary member by usage to this day.

292 Annals of Philadeljjhia.

It is saifl, traditionally, that some Indian chiefs of the Lenni
Lenape or Delaware tribe, with whom Penn made his treaty on
the Delaware, attended a council of the colonists held in the
forest, and in the name of the tribe granted the right and privi-
lege to hunt in the woods and fish in the w'aters of the Schuylkill
for ever. "When the governor of the Province sent out, in 1732,
a commission to survey the river from the mouth upward, they
granted permission to the high sheritf of the county of Phila-
delphia to execute his commission over their lands and waters.

In 1765, by reason of the advanced age and infirmities of His
Excellency Governor Stretch, Luke ]\Iorris was unanimously pro-
claimed lieutenant-governor, and the following year was chosen
governor on the death of Governor Stretch, but declined. AVith
Luke Morris the office of lieutenant-governor became extinct.
In October, 1766, Samuel Morris was elected governor unani-
mously.

The October meeting in 1769 was the last convention until
near the close of the protracted war in 1781, a period of between
eleven and twelve years. Forty were members at this time. The
war of Independence dispersed the members of the little peace-
ful colony, some to their country's councils and some to the tent-
ed field. Governor Morris, who commanded the First Troop,
distinguished for eminent service in the campaigns of 1776-77,
was again at the head of his gallant corps at Trenton. Many of
the members were in active service in the army or in civil situ-
ations of usefulness and high responsibility. One of the mem-
bers, Thomas Wharton, was elected president of the Supreme
Executive Council of Pennsylvania in 1776. But a single
member of the colony proved recreant to the cause of Inde-
pendence.

At an early period in the eighteenth centuiy — certainly as
early as 1747 — an association for similar purposes, called the
"Society of Fort St. David's," enrolling a large list of the
" nobility of those days," was established al)ove the Falls of the
Schuylkill. They were, many of them, Welshmen, members of
the Society of Ancient Britons, some of them of the Society of
Friends, companions of William Penn and co-emigrants to. the
New World. The names of the officers have not come down to
us; the only one known is William Vanderspiegle, "a Dutch
New Yorker, famous for his low drollery." Henry ^"aiulcr-
spiegle was a member. On an elevated and extensive rock con-
tiguous to the eastern bank of the river, and projecting into the
rajiids, rose the primitive, rude, but convenient and strong struc-
ture of hewn timber cut from the opposite forest. It was an
oblong wooden building, painted brown, resting on a stone
foundation, built on a long high rock in the river, fronting the
Falls, having a large door in the centre and approached by a
tiight of spacious steps. A square cupola, containing a bell,

Tlie Schuylkill Fishing Company. 293

surmounted with a spire, ball, and a vane resembling a roekfish,
rose from the roof; a towering flagstaiF stood on the adjoining
hill, on which His Majesty's flag was displayed on company
days. They possessed a tolerable museum. The building was
capacious enough for the numerous garrison, who were tlien
more celebrated for deeds of gastronomy than deeds of arms.
No place on the river equalled the Falls for rock- and perch-
fishing, and small blue catfish Mere taken in abundance by hand-
nets. When the tide was out the roaring of the turbulent
waters, precipitated over the continuous and rugged chain of
rocks extending from shore to shore, was heard on still evenings
many miles over the surrounding country, even to the city, a
distance of five miles. But the clam at Fairmount has backed
the water so that all this is changed. Also, about the period of
the late war many of the great rocks, and amongst them tiie site
of the old Fort, were blown up for navigation purposes and used
in the erection of piers and buildings. Yet up to within a few
years the taverns on the shore were noted for their fine catfish
and coffee, and many a party would drive out there of an evening
for these luxuries.

The war of Independence dispersed the garrison of Fort St.
David, and peace found their blockhouse in a heap of ruins,
having been consumed by the Hessians. On the approach of
the foe the members had transferred their movables and a good
museum to a place of safety.

The spirit of Independence was rife amongst them. John
Dickinson, the author of the celebrated series of epistles known
as The Farmer^ s Letters, was presented on May 12th, 1768,
with a large circular silver snuff-box, an address from the
society in a box of heart of oak highly ornamented, and elect-
ed to the dignity of gratuitous member of the Society of
Fort St. David, for his patriotic ardor, on 16th of April,
1768.

On the return of peace the reduced Society of Fort St. David
agreed to unite their forces and their valuables, in prosecution of
their favorite amusements and festivities, with the citizens of the
State in Schuylkill. In pursuit of a common object they had
long since been well acquainted with each other, and the "State"
hailed with lively welcome the timely acquisition to their own
reduced numbers and projierty. Five or six immense pewter
dishes, of divers forjus, which were brought to this country by
the Proprietary, stamped with the family coat-of-arms, and pre-
sented to the Society of Fort St. David, were amongst the
treasures added to the common stock. The union ])ros{)ered.

It was not till 1781 that a regular meeting of the governor and
council of the State in Schuylkill was held at St. Ogden's, or
Joseph the Ferryman's Inn, at the Middle or Market street
Ferry — fifteen present. Measures were at once taken to repair

25*

294 Annals of Philadelphia.

the long-abandoned Castle, Navy, and Dockyard and supply all
deficiencies of furniture. The spring and fall meetings for
business continued to be regularly held until 1787, twenty-five
behig the number allowed to be members.

June 8th, 1787, a special meeting was held at Robert Irwin's
White Horse Inn, jNIarket street near Seventh, for the purpose
of making "arrangements for the entertainment of his Excel-
lency General Washington and such other gentlemen as the
company might choose to invite, on Thursday, the 14th inst,, at
the Castle." Twenty cards were issued to distinguished guests
of the army, the navy, and the councils of the country. Such
a banquet deserved a full record, but none seems to have beeu
preserved.

At the March meeting in 1789, held at Samuel Nicholas's inn,
sign of the Conestoga Wagon, north side of Market street above
Fourth, it was recorded that "Mr. Benj. Scull, the Prince of
Fishermen, produced a Trout, which he this day took in Schuyl-
kill off his lay-out line, that measured fifteen inches." It was
an extraordinary occurrence for this wary fish to be taken in this
or in any other manner in the tide-waters of the Schuylkill.
Mr. Scull also once caught a shad by a baited hook in one of his
piscatory excursions before one was produced in the Philadelphia
market. We are perfectly aware that herring will sometimes take
the hook, but it is a novel circumstance for a shad to bite. Octo-
ber 5th, 1791, a sturgeon four feet in length leaped on board one
of the vessels at her moorings opposite to the Castle, of which the
company made a delicious repast.

The worthy Baron, William Warner, died September 12th,
1794, much lamented. His property was bought by Robert E.
Griffith, who erected an elegant mansion, pavilion, stables, dairy,
and other outbuildings. In 1810 it became the pro})erty of
Richard Rundle, who lived and died here, constantly improving
the estate. He often attended at the Castle, where he occasion-
ally met his neighbor, the venerable Judge Peters of Belmont
Farm, and the distinguished Judge Washington.

March 25th, 1812, the raising of the frame of a new building
was celebrated and a good time had ; and at the 1st of May
meeting a nine-gallon elegant china punch-bowl was presented
by Captain Charles Ross, who brought it over, and it was
christened the " Ross bowl " with all the honors. He also
presented two superb mandarin hats, and Baron Rundle pre-
sented two splendidly gilt china plates of antiijuitv, stamped
1692.

On the 7th of July, 1812, the good old governor, Samuel
Morris, usually designated Christian Sanuiel, died in the seventy-
eighth year of his age, having been a member for fifty-eight
years, and for forty-six years chief magistrate of the Colony
and State, to which honorable post he was annually re-elected

Tlie Schuylkill Fishing Company. 295

with perfect unanimity — respected and beloved by his associates
for the cheerfuhiess of his disposition, the benevolence of his
heart, and the blandness and dignity of his manners ; he was
ever remarkable for studied courtesy and kindness to his guests.
A bust of him in wood by William Rush ornaments the
Castle.

As commander of the Philadelphia Troop of Light Horse
Washington wrote to him as follows : " I take this opportunity
of returning my most sincere thanks to the captain, and to the
gentlemen who compose tiie Troop, for the many essential ser-
vices which they have rendered their country, and to me person-
ally, during the course of this severe campaign. Though com-
posed of gentlemen of fortune, they have shown a noble example
of discipline and subordination, and in several actions have shown
a spirit and bravery which will ever do honor to them, and will
ever be gratefully remembered by me.

"George Washington.

"Head-quarters, Morris-Town, January 23d, 1777."

Besides Samuel Morris, William Hall, second sergeant, Samuel
Howell, Jr., first corporal, John Donaldson, Levi Hollingsworth,
and Thomas Peters, of the State in Schuylkill, served with the
City Troop. In the summer of 1780 the Troop, thirty-eight in
number, marched to Trenton; in September, 1794, fifty-two
marched under Captain John Dunlap to aid in quelling the
"Whiskey Insurrection ;" and again, in 1799, they marched to
assist in quelling the rebellion in Northampton county, Penn-
sylvania.

The members were remarkable for longevity. The first was
for thirty-four years, and his successor fifty-eight years, member
of the association — the one living to eighty, and the other to
seventy-eight years, and the two ]3residing for eighty years.

Robert Wharton, the mayor of the city, was next elected gov-
ernor, and re-elected for sixteen years. Thomas Morris, nephew
of the former governor, succeeded him for years.

In March, 1819, the Castle was broken into and sundry valu-
ables stolen therefrom, amongst which were the ancient pewter
dishes, clothing, fishing-tackle, etc; three of the five dishes were
afterward recovered.

By reason of the completion of the dam at Fairmount water-
works in the spring of 1822 the fishing was broken up, and
the Colony removed from Eaglesfield to the vicinity of Gray's
Ferry, and agreed to pay an annual rent of fifty dollars.

The Castle was taken down and rebuilt, and the valuables
loaded into a scow and transported to Rambo's Rock, the new
destination, and the new house was opened with the customary
feast and all the honors. The Castle is eighteen feet by fifty-two
feet, and will dine eighty persons. The kitchen is sixteen by

296 Annals of Philadelphia.

twenty-six, with a spacious fireplace for broilinj^, roasting, and
toasting, and an elevated stone platform for a large barbecue.
There is also a wood-house and stalls and sheds for horses and
carriages.

Julv 21st, 1825, La Fayette paid the company a visit, and
was received in full state, the members dressed in fishermen's
style, with white linen aprons and ample straw hats. Gen. La
Fayette was elected an honorary member, and he insisted upon
performing his share of the duties, and was invested Avith the
apron and hat, and paid attention to the turning of steaks on
the gridiron. A sumptuous banquet followed, with choice songs
and witticisms.

Admission to the honor of membership is by no means easy.
Candidates for vacancies are soon proposed from many persons
waiting for the honor. No gentleman is placed on the roll of
probation until eight members signify approval. The candidate
serves an apprenticeship for six months or longer, and then a
majority of votes must be in his favor. He is then qualified and
admitted according to ancient form ; the secret mystical ceremo-
nies are alarmingly interesting.

The stated days during the fishing season are on each Thursday
fortnight between the first day of May and the first AVednesday
in October, though sometimes changed on account of adverse tides.
Every one who purposes makinir one of the company repairs to
the governor's quarters before eight in the previous evening and
records his name, so that the caterer may provide properly. The
only meat provided is sirloin beefsteak, and an occasional barbe-
cue for a large company. Rock and shad are always acceptable,
and are either boiled or toasted on thick oak plank's. All cook-
ing is done by the members. An exquisite refreshing luncheon
is provided by the hour of twelve, when the weary fisliermen re-
turn in their boats from their excursions. This luncheon — not
the dinner — consists of a plain hot beefsteak seasoned with
cayenne and salt at the table. No one can partake who arrives
after one o'clock.

Every member is provided with his own bateau, tackle and
bait, apron, hat, etc. An exjwrt fisherman used to take from five
to twenty dozen fish, chiefiy the delicious white perch; and some-
times the aggregate lunnber brought in amounted, befi)re removal
of the Castle, to fifty, eighty, or one hundred dozen. The plumb-
line is the favorite, with a snood of horsehair, having from three
to six small hooks, mounted on a tapering angling-rod of from
twenty to twenty-five feet in length. The deep-sea is used in
deep water as an extra line, and at ebb tide generally secures a
quantity of fine blue catfish.

It is against the rules of good cooking to cleanse the steaks by
washing off the exuding juices before they are committed to the grid-,
iron, or to puncture them with a fork in turning instead of using

The Schuylkill Fishing Covipany.

297

the tongs, or to butter the chosen fat beef, or sprinkle it with high
seasoning in the process; nor are the steaks taken off the hot coals
until the " Ho ! steaks ready !" note of preparation is given, the
fishermen's palates relishing them best in a very heated and not
overdone state. The fish are fried in the best butter to a brown
color, and never broken by turning; but in regularly-laid rows
and adhering to each other, and not to the pan, they are, with a
little practice, dexterously tossed.

Besides those in the City Troop the following served in the
Revolution : Major Samuel Nicholas of the marine corps ; Lieu-
tenant Anthony Morris of the militia, killed at the battle of
Princeton ; Lieutenant-Colonel William Bradford, Captains
John Graff and John Wharton of the militia; Captain Tench
Francis of the rifle cor])s, etc. Several others appeared in the
ranks of the Quaker and Silk-Stocking companicvS, so designated
on account of the wealth or high standing of the spirited gentle-
men composing those corps raised in the city, and in other vol-
unteer corps of infantry, at a crisis in affairs when neutrality was
treason. In the war of 1812 many served or marched to the
field.

MEMBERS OF THE SCHUYLKILL FISHING COMPANY, INSTI-
TUTED A. D. 1732.

1732. 1. Thomas Stretch, first gov.

2. Enocli Flower.

3. Charles Jones.

4. Isaac Snowden.

5. John Howard.

6. Joseph Stiles, treas. and sec'y.

7. James Conltas, sheriff.

8. William Hopkins, coroner.

9. William Warner, baron.

10. John Leacock, coroner.

11. Thomas Tillbury.

12. Caleb Casli.

13. Philip Syng.

14. William Plumstead.

15. Peter Reeve.

16. William B.all.

17. Daniel Williams.

18. Isaac Garrigues.

19. Isaac Stretch, sherifl'in 1759.

20. Hugh Roberts.

21. Samnel Neave.

22. Joseph Wharton.

23. Joseph Stretch.

24. Cadwallader Evans.

25. William Parr.

26. James Logan.

27. Samuel Garrigues.

28. Samuel Burge.

The above twenty-eight were members
of the original association, or founders of
the Colony in Schuylkill.

The original associates assembled fre-

quently on the banks of the river for
fishing, fowling, and feasting, previous
to the regular establishment of a com-
pany governed by laws and officers,
whenever convenience permitted or
pleasure suggested an excursion from
the city.

1748. 29. Luke Morris.

30. James Wharton.

31. Robert Greenway.

32. John Jones.

33. Jacob Lewis.

34. Isaac Warner, sheriff".

35. William Fisher.

36. Samuel Mifflin.

37. George Gray.

38. Joshua Howell.

39. Joseph Redman.

40. Edward Pennington.

41. Joseph Saunders.

42. Samuel Shoemaker.

43. Thomas Wharton, Jr.

44. Thomas Wharton.

45. Jacob Cooper.

46. Henry Harrison.

47. Samuel Wliarton.

48. Robert Greenway.

49. Henry Elwes.

50. Joseph Shoemaker.

51. John Lawrence.
Members of the association admitted

298

Annals of Pliiladelphia.

vivd voce tliis year or previously by the the first election of membership br
founders— I. e. since 1732. biiliot on October 4.

1754. 52. Samuel Morris, Jr.

53. "William Dowell.

54. Joiin Sibbald, coroner.

55. (Turney Wall.

5G. Thomas Lawrence.

57. Evan ^Morgan.

58. Thomas Harper.

59. William Bingham.

60. James Hamm.

61. Judah Foulke.

62. Cliarles Jones.
Associates admitted to the privileges

of the Colony since 1748.

1759. 63. James James.

64. Jonatlian Evans.

65. Anthony Morris.

66. Joseph Galloway.

67. Jacob Cooper.

68. John Jones.

69. John Edwards.

70. Thomas Richardson.

71. Joseph Stamper.

72. William Thorne.

73. Jacob Lewis.

74. Josiah Hewes.

75. Israel Morris.

76. Anthony Morris, Jr.
Admissions since 1754 to the' Colony.

1760. 77. Zebulon Rudnlph.

78. William Bradford,

79. Joseph Jones.

80. Samuel Hudson.

81. Eden Hay dock.

82. Samuel Nicholas.

83. Levi HoUingsworth.

84. Peter Stretch.

85. Clement Biddle.

86. Thomas Mifflin.

87. Kathaniel Falconer.

88. James Budden.

89. Samuel Howell, Jr.

90. Tench Francis.

91. Tliomas Peters.

92. Peter Kifhn.

93. Gustavus Risburg.

94. James White.

95. Benjamin G. Eyres.

96. Robert Roberts.
Received as associates, and registered

as such, this year, including No. 96.

Election by Ballot.
Under the provisions of the 7th sect.
of the act of the General Assemblv,
passed 29th Marcli this vear, was held

1760. 97.
98.
99.

100.

101.

102.

103.

104.

105.

106.

107.

108.

109.

110.
1765.111.

112.

113.

114.

115.
1767. 116.

117.

118.
1781.119.

120.
1782. 121

122

123

124

125,

First election under the new law of
11th Oct., 1782, after the Declaration
of Independence :

1785. 126. Steph. Paschall, .Jr., Mar. 28.
127. Israel Whelan, June 23.

1786. 128. Hugh Roberts, March 29.

129. Francis Johnston, " 29.

130. Peter Browne, " 29.

131. Adam Clampffer, " 29.

1787. 132. John Baker, June 8.
133. Jeremiah Fisher, June 8.

1789. 134, Anthonv J. Morris, Mar, 26.

1790. 135. John Donnaldson, " 22.

136. Thomas Forrest, " 22.

137. Robert Wharton, " 22.

138. John Morrell, Oct. 11.

1791. 139. Joseph Donnaldson, Oct. 5,
140. Jolin Graft; " 5.

1796. 141. Thomas Greaves, March 23.

142. Tliomas Hiltzheimer, '• 23.

143. Joliu IIarris(jn, " 23.
1798. 144. Spaftord Drurv.f March 3,
1800. 145. Thomas Morris, March 18,

146. George Ludlam, Mav 22.

147. John J. Parrv, "' 22.

148. John W. Moirell, June 12.
1803. 149. Joseph S. Lewis, May 12.

John Nixon, Oct. 4.
Isaac Hopkins, " 4,
Francis Holton," 4.
William Morris, Jr., Oct.
Sanuiel Hassell, "

Enoch Story, "

William Ranstead, "
Thomas Ca.sh, "

James Eddy, "

Israel Moriis, Jr., "

William Sword, "

William Ibeson, "

George Dillwyn, "

Stephen Shewell, "

John Wharton, gent., Sept.
John Wharton, shipt., "
William Govett, "

William Gray, "

George Roberts, "

Abraham Bickley, "
John Howard, "

William Jackson, Oct. 5.
Benjamin Scull, March 3.
Andrew Tyboiit, " 3.
John D. Mercier, " 23,
Thomas Bond, Jr., " 23.
Joseph Rakestraw, " 23.
John Patton, July 23,
William Hall,* " 23.

* The senior of three old ex-members— viz. Hall, Donnaldson, and Wharton— living
»n the 4th of .July, 18;50, in or near Philadelphia,
t This admission made the full complement of twenty-five members this century.

The Schuylkill Fishing Company.

299

1804. 150. Eichard C. Jones, April 14.

1805. 151. Curtis Clay, Jr., Oct. 14.
152. Tlionias Shoemaker, Oct 14.

1806. 153. Joseph Smith, Mav 29.
1807. 154. Jeremiah Peirsol, May 29.

155. William Gerhard, Oct. 1.
1808. 156. Eobert Morreil, May 2.

157. Reeve Lewis, July 21.

158. Henry Graff; " 21.
1810. 159. Eichard Eundle, May 16.

160. Isaac Milnor, June 24.

161. Joseph S. Morris, July 7.

162. John E. Coates, " 21.
1811. 163. William W. Fisher, Oct. 2.

164. Eobert M. Lewis, " 2.

1812. 165. Eli Canby, Oct. 2.

1813. 166. Charles Eoss, Oct. 6.

167. Thomas P. Eoberts, Oct. 6.

168. Casper W. Morris, " 6.

169. James L. Cuthbert, " 6.
1814. 170. Samuel N. Lewis, Oct. 5.
1816. 171. Anthony M. Buckley, Oct. 2.

172. William Milnor, Jr., " 2.
1817. 173. Eichard Willing, Jr., Oct. 1.

174. Josiah Starkey, " 1.

1818. 175. Charles Watson, Oct. 7.
1819. 176. William E. Howell, Oct. 4.

177. William Lippincott, " 4.
1822. 178. Samuel N. Gray, March 30.

179. William Strickland, Oct. 2.

180. John Swift, " 2.

181. Cornelius Stevenson, " 2.

182. William H. Hart, " 2.

183. John S. Phillips, " 2.
1823. 184. Samuel P. Wetherill, Oct. 1.

185. Benjamin S. Bonsall, " 1.

186. William A. Peddle, " 1.

1824. 187. William V. Anderson, " 16.

1825. 188. Henry Lentz, Oct. 7.
189. Sanson! Perot, " 7.

1826. 190. Joseph S. Snowden, Oct. 4.

191. John P. Wetherill, " 4.
1827. 192. Eobert T. Potts, Oct. 3.

193. Josepli Donaldson, " 3.

1828. 194. Charles Wetherill, Oct. 1.

1829. 195. William Wetherill, " 7,

1830. 196. William Weaver, Oct. 6.

1831. 197. Eobert G. Herring, April 30.

1834. 198. Eichard Paxon, May 1.

199. HenrvHuber, Sr.," 1.

200. Thomas Hart, Nov. 6.
1835. 201. Thomas Hayes, Dec. 12.

202. Frederick A. Huber, Dec. 12.
1838. 203. Jas. Glentworth, Jr., Mar. 22.

1839. 204. Daniel Deal, Oct. 2.

205. James C. Fisher, H. M.,Oct. 2.

206. Peter L. Laguerenne, " 2.

207. William Jackson, " 2.

208. Philip Physick, " 2.

1840. 209. John J. Werner, Oct. 7.

210. William Harmer, " 7.

211. Eobert Adams, " 7.

212. Thomas C. James, " 7.

1841. 213. Stephen G. Fotterall, Oct. 6.
214. Francis Peters, " 6.

1842. 215. William Stevenson, Mar. 30.
216. Edmond Wilcox, Oct. 5.

1843. 217. Eobert E. Gray, Oct. 4.

21 8. George E. Justice, " 4.

219. George CCanson, " 4.

220. Henry Bohlen, " 4.

1844. 221. Sanuiel F. Fisher, Oct. 2.

1845. 222. William W. Fisher, Mar. 28.
223. Samuel B. Thomas, " 28.

1846. 224. Thomas H. Craige, Dec. 30.
225. James Tams, " 30.

1847. 226. William T. Lowber, Oct. 12.

1848. 227. J.EinggoldWilmer,Mar.30.
228. Frederick S. Pepper, " 30.

1850. 229. Henry Carson, Feb. 4.

1851. 230. Daniel Smith, Jr., Jan. 8.
1854. 231. Harry C. Hart, Mar. 30.

1856. 232. Charles Harmar, Mar. 28.

1857. 233. Alexander E. Harvey,0ct.l2.

1858. 234. George Cuthbert, Apr. 15.
235. Samuel I. Christian, " 15.

1859. 236. William Camac, Mar. 24.
237. Henry Fling, Oct. 10.

1860. 238. Samuel Pleasants, Mar. 29.

239. Thomas Smith, " 29.

240. John Wagner, " 29.

1861. 241. E. Eundle Smith, Oct. 1.

1862. 242. Clement S. Philips, Mar. 29.

1863. 243. T. Wharton Fisher, Oct. 6.

1864. 244. Henry Cai-son, Oct. 5.

245. Josiah W. Harmar, Oct. 5.

246. Galloway C. Morris, " 5.

247. M. E. Eogers, " 5.

1865. 248. John A. Brown, Jr., Apr. 5.

1866. 249. Joseph T. Thomas, Mar. 28.
250. Edward Wharton, Oct. 2.

1867. 251. Frederick Klett, Mar. 26.
252. Edwin L. Eeakirt, Oct. 15.

1868. 253. T. Somers Smith, Mav 6.

1869. 254. Fred'k W. P'otterall, Mar. 25.

1870. 255. Morris Hacker, Mar. 25.

256. Chas. S. Pancoast, " 25.

257. John P. Bankson, " 25.

Mount Regale Fishing Company. — This company was composed
of wealthy and fasliionable gentlemen, the leaders of society in
that day, as may be seen from the names of Shippen, Chew, Ham-
ilton, Francis, McCall, Lawrence, Swift, Tilghman, Allen, IIop-
kinson. Willing, Morris, Nixon, and others. They met at Rob-
inson's Tavern, at the Falls of Schuylkill, every other Tliurs'

300 Annals of Philadelphia.

day from June to October. Of course the name of the company
indicates they met more to have a g(jod time than for any love
of Izaak Walton's art.

Whitpain's Great House, p. 428.— July 26, 1701, "Ordered,
that for the next session of the Assembly the great front room in
AVhiti)ain's house, now in the tenure of Joseph Shij^pen, be pre-
pared and put in order, and that the said Joseph Ship])en be
allowed for it by the government." [Col. Recs., vol. ii. 26.)

The custom-house occupied the stores built, it is believed, on
the site of this " great house " by John Ross ; it was so occupied
in 1800 and earlier, George Latimer being then collector and John
Graeif deputy collector. As in April 1, 1802, the custom-house
was in Carpenters' Hall, it was probably removed there then
from the first building, and continued there, with the exception
of a few months in 1811, to January 1, 1817, about fourteen
years three months and nineteen days.

Officy^s Forge, p. 430. — Previous to this there was established
in 1747, at the north-west corner of Eighth and Walnut streets,
Stephen Paschall's steel-furnace, where blistered steel was made.
Another steel-furnace in the city was owned by William Branson.
John Hall had a plating tilt-hammer forge at Byberry.

But England was even at this early day ])ursuing her jealous
policy of discouraging manufacturing except in her own establish-
ments. She therefore in 1749 passed "an act to encourage the
importation of pig and bar iron from His Majesty's colonies in
America, and to pi'event the erection of any mill or other engine
for slitting or rolling iron, or any plating-forge to work with a
tilt-hammer, or any furnace for making steel in any of said col-
onies." Those in operation previous to June 24th, 1750, were
excepted from the prohibition.

This feeling \vas strongly carried out in a work entitled Gee on
Trade, published in London in 1750, which declared "manufac-
turing in our American colonies should be discouraged and pro-
liibited Any such attempts should be crushed in the be-
ginning It is proposed that no weaver have liberty to set

up any looms without first registering at an office kept for the
purpose. That all slitting-mills and engines for drawing wire or
weaving stockings be put down. That all negroes be prohibited
from weaving either linen or woollen, or spinning or combing
wool, or working at any manufacture of iron, further than mak-
ing it into pig or bar iron. That they also be prohibited from
manufacturing hats, stockings, or leather of any kind,"

Bachelors' Hall, p. 432. — This building was not used only as
a festive jdace, but in the grounds surrounding was started a
botanic garden, most probably the first in America, and before
that of John Bartram below Gray's Ferry, though he might have
been interested in this garden. This place was thoroughly de-
scribed in a long poem by George ^^'ebbe in 1729. llev. John

Fourth and Marhet Streets. oqI

Murray (the well-known preacher of universal salvation) in his
AutobiograpJiy, gives an account of a visit to Philadelphia in 1770.
In referring to the opposition to Universalism a century ago, he
says (page 227) : " The combined efforts of the clergy in Philadel-
phia barred against me the door of every house of public worship
in the city. Bachelors' Hall was in Kensington, but at Bach-
elors' Hall the people attended, and a few were enabled to believe
the good word of their God." The street now called Beach street,
then nearest the Delaware and north of Gunner's Pun, was for-
merly called Hall street; and we conjecture that Bachelors' Hall
was situated on the square now bounded south by Poplar street,
north by Shackamaxon street, east by Beach street, and west by
Allen street.

FOURTH AND MARKET STREETS.

• The Duck-Pond, p. 433. — Some years since, a sewer being ren-
dered necessary, owing to water accumulating at this point, it was
dug uuder the market-house (then standing) down to the Del-
aware. It was tunnelled, the workmen being at work entirely
under ground day and night, the business of the market going on
as usual, without any suspension on account of the operations all
the time below.

TAe Origin of the above-named Sewer, p. 434. — John Sharp,
who in 1852 was building in Fourth street on the site of the old
Indian Queen Hotel, told my lather that the route of Dock Creek
was distinctly traceable in the rear of his buildings, and that Peter
Thompson, his conveyancer, who died several years before this, saw
a young woman drowned in a boat loaded with ])umpkins in the
creek at the end of the market-house on Franklin court, back of
his buildings. This market-house — or what tradition says was
one — was standing in 1852 in the rear of the old Indian Queen
Tavern,, and was soon after that pulled down. It was a long
building, with a cupola upon it. An old man aged eighty-nine
has told him (John Sharp) that he has attended market there in
his day, and another person confirms it. William J. Duane, who
formerly lived in Brock's house, near JNIarket and Fourth streets,
and a relative of Dr. Franklin's, said it was always in his recol-
lection considered a market-house. Dr. Franklin's garden was
in the rear of the Indian Queen.

This question, of its having been a market-house, was revived,
and the fact flatly denied by the Evening Bulletin and Sunday
Dispatch of April, 1857, but no facts are adduced to contradict
the tradition. (See ante, p. 182, note to Vol. I. p. 363.)

WJien the long range, p. 435. — Daniel Suter was an old Ger-
man grocer who then lived oj)posite to this "long range," which
was afterward the property of William Chancellor, at the Dorth-

$02 Annals of Philadelplda.

west corner of Fourth and High. ]Mrs. Yohe kept a hotel north
of the "range." Slie afterward purchased the property forming
a part of "Jones's Hotel" on Chestnut street above Sixth, and
which was the site of O'EUer's hotel till it was burned down with
Pritehett's circus, next below O'EUer's. Above Mrs. Yolie's, in
Fourth street, lived Pierrie, a bnrber, who used to shave General
AVashington, and who boasted that he had often taken the general
hy the nose. He had preserved some of the general's hair, and
distributed it to his friends and cnstomers. He promised my
father some, but he never got it. ]Mrs. Spencer, a relative of the
Sergeant family, kept an excellent and genteel boarding-house in
a dwelling that then stood north of the •' range." George SheatJ'
then kept a wine-store at the north-east corner.

PEGG'S RUi\.

P. 436. — Pegg's Run, formerly the Cohoquinoque, was the site
of the present Willow street. The reason why so many leather-
dressers are located on it, and near it, is, that before Pegg's Run
was cul verted tanners and leather-dressers sought that neighbor-
hood in order to discharge their dyes and other liquids into the
creek ; and subsequently, Mhen the culvert was built, they ob-
tained entrances into it. In consequence of this advantage the
ground in that neighborhood was sought by leather-dressers; and
when a fashion in some lines of business is established, it is very
hard to break it. The same thing exists in Xew York, where in
old times the leather-dressers collected in the neighborhood of
what is called "the Swamp," the lower ])art of the city on the
East River; and to this day the establishments of that trade are
centred there, the neighborhood still being called by old Xew
Yorkers " the Swamp,'' although no swamp is visible.

Willow street (formerly Pegg's Run) was opened by order of the
Court of Quarter Sessions by proceedings which commenced in
June, 1828, and by which there was an assessment for damages,
which was confirmed in Sei)tember, 1829. The surface of Wil-
low street is sustained by a culvert, which was built over tlie
course of the stream called by the Indians " Cohoquinoque," and
is in modern times known as Pegg's Run. It empties into the
Delaware at Willow street wharf.

The First Powder-house. 303

THE FIRST POWDER-HOUSE.

P. 449, — See manuscript law at Harrisburg in favor of Wil-
liam Chancellor, passed August 14th, 1724-25, vol. A, No. 2,
1710-35, p. 323 : " At this time the city of Philadelphia is desti-
tute of any magazine or other suitable repository for the safe-
keeping of gunpowder." May 8, 1747, another law is passed,
continuing the law of 1724 in force for another year, in favor of
Elizabeth, widow of William Chancellor, or till the Assembly
order otherwise. (See MS. law A, 1731-1757, p. 181.) This
continued thus till 1783. Captain William Chancellor died in
1742; he was a sailmaker. In 1747 a petition is presented from
a number of residents in the Northern Liberties against a con-
tinuance of the powder-house, apprehending danger to their dwell-
ings and preventing improvements, and the erection of a market-
. house in the place laid out for it. (See Penna. Archives, i. 676.)
On December 6, 1784, another law is passed, referring to those
of 1724 and 1727, which says: "And whereas another powder-
house hath been erected in said city in the public square on the south
side of Vine street, between the Sixth and Seventh streets from Del-
aware, at the public expense,'" etc. (A, 2, p. 206.) Joseph Stiles
is appointed superintendent of it. (See end of this article.) This
powder-house in Franklin Square was built during the Revolu-
tionary War, and was used after 1791 for storing oil for public
lamps.

March 28, 1787, a new law was passed, repealing former laws;
this magazine continued in use till the following was built, under
resolution of Assembly April 6, 1790, when the governor was
authorized to purchase a lot and erect thereon a jiowder-magazine
{Min. of Ass., 1789-90, p. 260-261) ; and supplement April 13,
1791, speaks of a new magazine on the banks of Schuylkill, north
side of Walnut street.

April 16, 1790, a lot of Colonel Patton was agreed to be pur-
chased for five hundred and sixty-five pounds specie, or its value
in paper, for a powder-magazine ; and on May 22d tiie form and
/ dimensions were agreed upon — on Walnut and west side of Ash-
ton street, forty feet east and west and sixty north and south, and
house for the kee]>er at the south-east corner of Front and Wal-
nut on Schuylkill. (See Col. Pecs., xvi. 337, 367, 327, 329.)
This is probably what was afterward Wetherill's vitriol-factorv,
the stone walls then standing. (See Smith's Laws, vol. ii., p. 406,
note ; also Penna. Archives, xi. 276.)

April 4, 1807, an act passed appointing commissioners to sell
"present magazine and the lot on which it is erected, and with
the proceeds purchase ground and erect others," not less than one
mile from the city, nor of capacity to contain more than ten tons
of powder, and oneor more magazines to store on deposit powder

304 Annals of Philadelphia.

in large quantities, not less than four miles from the city; when
erected all powder to be removed there. Five thousand dollars
were granted by act February 25, 1808, to complete the new
magazine. (Smith's Ldws (note), vol. ii., p. 406 ; iii. 240, 498.)

Mem. from Book M, p. 79, " Titles to City Property :" " On
this square — Xorth-Eastcrn or Franklin Square — the old powder-
magazine is erected, the possession of which, by a resolution of
the Legislature of 30th of September, 1791 (3d vol. p. 171), was
delivered to tiie corporation for the purpose of storing oil for the
public lamps until the Legislature shall otherwise dispose there-
of" {Iti City Solicitor's Office.)

The Schuylkill Arsenal was established about the year 1800;
the Frankford Arsenal was commenced about the year 1814.
The Schuylkill Arsenal has for fifty years been devoted to the
storage of clothing, camp-equipage, and quartermaster's stores for
the use of the army. The Frankford Arsenal was intended from
the first to be devoted to the purposes of a magazine of arms and
munitions of war.

Gibbs' House, p. 444. — The main building still exists on Arch
street. It was built by the Keppele family — a back building
with fine garden, with summer-houses, extending nearly to the
Lutheran church, which, I believe, purchased it. A row of houses
and stores now occupies the garden-space on Fourth street.

JIarkoe's house, p. 444. — My father remembered Avhen the
whole square from iNlarket to Chestnut and Xinth to Tenth M-as
a post-and-rail grass-lot, except what was occupied by this house,
its stables and garden. He used frequently to visit there with
his mother, who was related to Mrs. Markoe ; they used then to
speak of these visits as " out to Mr. Markoe's," and would start
early after dinner, as from their house in Arch street between
Fourth and Fifth was thought quite a walk. Markoe's at this
time was the only house, except " Dunlap's," corner of Twelfth
and Market streets, between Ninth street and the Schuylkill, and
there was nothing to intercept the view from jMarket to Spruce,
Avhere Bellamy's house stood.

P. 444. — Pennington's sugar-house is advertised in Penna.
Journal, Oct. 27, 1763, as "at the upper end of Market street."
The later one was at the north-east corner of Crown and Race
streets.

After Edward Pennington, the sugar-refiner, and probably son
of the one mentioned in the text, this house was purchased by
JSIr. Hertzog, a wealthy German and a very large man, who died
about 1850. His widow occupied the house, and gave it to the
Reformed Dutch Church — of which they were members under
Dr. Bethune — at the corner of Filbert and Tenth streets, toward
the erection of a tiieological seminary at New Brunswick, X. J.,
under charge of Rev. Dr. John Ludlow, late provost of our

Military Rail. 305

university here. The Peningtons in this country, descendants
of the Kent stock, spell their name Avith one n.

P, 446. — Another collection extends on Chestnut street, north
side. These are every one pulled down, and their sites are now
occupied by fine stores. One of them was the old Khouli Khan
Tavern. On Walnut street below Dock two or three of the
original houses remain to this date (1879). The house built by
David Rittenhouse about 1786-87 at the north-west corner of
Seventh and Arch streets was till a recent date a very fine speci-
men of houses of that time.

Military Hall, p. 446. — The old-fashioned building on Library
street, opposite the rear of the Custom-House, was built in the
year 1810, and since that time has been used for a variety of pur-
poses— as a coach -factory, military armory, concert saloon, lager-
beer saloon, and by the present proprietors. It was erected by
Matthew Carey for a printing-office. After he gave up that busi-
ness it went to otlier uses. It was occupied as a tavern by Joseph
H. Fennimore in 1832-33, and was called the Union House.
The upper portion, being the original printing-office room, was
fitted up in the second story as a ball-room and concert-room.
It afterward became the resort of military companies for a drill-
room, and was used by the State Fencibles, Captain James Page;
Washington Blues, Colonel William C. Patterson; and by others.
The name of the building about 1834 or 1835 was changed to
Military Hall. It was afterward for many years in the tenure
of John Vasey, and was fitted up in great splendor with mirrors,
paintings, etc., and called Our House. It subsequently went
into various uses. The second story was at one time used as a
gymnasium by W. S Mann. The Independent Board of Brokers
began and ended there a few years ago. Since G. Bergner has
been in possession of it the old name — Military Hall — has been
restored.

The Sharswood House. — The old Sharswood mansion, situated
on a lot bounded by Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth streets and
Master and Jefferson streets, and which was erected before 1798,
was torn down in August, 1878. This house was laid down on
Varlo's map, pul)lished about 1798, and was west of the house
of John Nixon, on Turner's lane. From Turner's lane a road
ran south and connected with New Hickory lane — now Fair-
mount avenue — near S. Samson's place, Par la Ville, the site of
which is now embraced in Fairmount Park.

Vol. III.— U 26 *

306 Annals of PJdladelphia.

CHURCHES.

The first churches established under Presbyterian organization
in this country were located in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylva-
nia, and West Jersey. The reason of this fact is to l^c found in
the free toleration of religious peculiarities granted by the orig-
inal Proprietors of these Provinces. Virginia was j)rincipally
settled by Episcopalians. Few of the earliest churches were
strictly Presbyterian in their origin. The sparseness of the pop-
ulation or the poverty of the people induced persons of different
persuasions to unite their strength and congregate without any
reference to any particular organization, and as they were singly
unable to support the ministry to which they were respectively
attached, their worship was conducted either by lay readers or
itinerant clergymen on their occasional visits. Philadelphia
claims the honor of the first regularly-constituted Presbyterian
church in the United States, as they first attempted the formation
of a congregation in 1692. They worshipped with the Baptists
and Congregational ists in the old " Barbadoes store," as Mr.
Watson says (I. 448). Soon after a dissension took place ; the
Presbyterians and Congregationalists invited Mr. Andrews, and
in 1704 erected a wooden building on Market street. In 1706
a presbytery was organized, and the number of ministers who
harmonized in their views was seven. The church flourished so
that in 1716 the Philadelphia Presbytery was divided into four
subordinate judicatories, to meet in an annual synod in the
city.

One-story stocking-store, ]). 447. — This store was kept for many
years, and was at the time of its being taken down, in June, 1832,
so kept — as a stocking-store by Nathan Jones & Son. The pres-
ent row of granite stores was erected in its place. (See Reg.
Penna., ix. 416.)

P. 447, note. See Col. Recs., iii. 139, where the Pennsylva-
nia Com)>any is mentioned, which I suppose refers to the Society
of Free Traders, and not to the " Barbadoes Company." Clay-
poole speaks of it as the " Pennsylvania Society." (See Hazard's
Annah, p. 557, where he also says : " We have a prosjiect of con-
siderable trade between Barbadoes and Pennsylvania.")

P. 448. — Rev. Jedediah Andrews's letter, dated in 1730, gives
an account of the religious denominations in Philadelphia in that
year. (See Hazard's Reg. Penna., xv. 200.)

Rev. Jedediah Andrews was the first Presbyterian minister in
Philadelphia. Son of Captain Thomas Andrews of Hingham,
Mass., he was born there July 7th, 1674, the ninth of ten chil-
dren. He graduated at Harvard in 1695, came to this city in
1698, and was zealous in the Church till his death in May, 1747.
Under his pastorate his congregation left the Barbadoes Store in

Churches. 307

1704, and erected a clmrcli in Market street, corner of White-
horse alley, now Bank street, formerly called "Old Biittonwood"
church, from the number of those trees growing near it.
George Keith went to England in 1692,

FIRST PEESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The First Presbyterian Church " is not far from the market —
of middling size. The roof is built almost hemispherical, or at
least forms a hexagon. The whole building stands north to
south, for the Presbyterians do not regard, as other people do,
whether their churches look toward a certain point of the heav-
ens." (Kalm's Travels, i. 39.) This rule is not now regarded,
as several stand east and west, according to situation.

In tiie years 1755 and 1761 enlargements of the building took
place to accommodate the increase of members; and in 1793 the
whole building, having stood nearly a century, was taken down
and a new and elegant one erected in 1794. It had a lofty por-
tico supported by four Corinthian columns, and was a handsome
structure.

The burying-ground in the rear continued to be used for sev-
eral years after the church was removed and stores erected on
Market street, and for two or three years the dead were gradu-
ally removed. Some of the older members, whose dead were laid
there, and who objected to the ground being appropriated to other
uses, having finally yielded, a row of stores was erected in 1847.
The congregation formerly worshipping in Market street, in
1825-26 erected a new house corner of Seventh and Wash-
ington Square, of which Dr. James P. AVilson was the first
pastor, and Pev. Albert Barnes was his successor. It was built
on what was known as "the old cow-yard."

The "First Church," on Washington Square, had been without
a regular minister for some time, and in 1830 extended a call to
the Rev. Albert Barnes, then stationed at Morristown, New
Jersey. Being rather reluctant at preaching before accepting
the call, he sent a sermon to the congregation entitled " Tlie ^Vay
of Salvation," which had already been published. It was very
extensively read, and closely criticised by some of the leading
divines of the radical school at that time, including Dr. Green,
the Rev. William L. McCalla, William M. Engles, and others.
Errors were discovered, and the whole sermon was pronounced
unsound. A cono-reg-ational meetinix was called in the church for
the purpose of sustaining him and his course in relation to the
clan formed by certain radical clergymen against him. Such
men were there as the late Joseph R. Ingersoll, John Sergeant,
Thomas Biddle, and others of that character, who had been
raised in the church. Mr. Barnes and his sentiments were up-
held as being those of his predecessor. Protests against his ad-
mission were made before the Presbytery of Philadelphia. That

308 Annals of Philadelphia.

body, however, deeided to admit him, but tlie matter being car-
ried to the Synod of Philadelphia, it was referred back to the
presbytery, which in November, 1830, disapproved of the doc-
trines promulgated by INIr. Barnes. There was considerable
trouble for some five or six years, which was sought to be got
over in the first place by creating the Second Presbytery of
Philadelphia, to accommodate Mr. Barnes and his friends.
This presbytery was two years afterward dissolved, Avhich made
more trouble. The matter finally came to the division which
took place in 1837. Mr. Barnes at that time had his friends
in the church, who stood by him through the whole of his per-
secution, being at one time suspended from preaching. At every
Assembly till 1837 the most bitter feeling prevailed. Mr. Barnes
in his declining years still held to his sentiments, and went down
to his grave bearing the respect and esteem of the whole Chris-
tian community.

The ministers who have offigiated in the First Presbyterian
Church were —

Rev. Jedediah Andrews; died in 1747, long after he had ceased
to preach.

Rev. Samuel Hemphill was an assistant preacher in 1735.

Rev. Robert Cross, ordained in 1739 ; died in 1766, a few
years after he had ceased to preach.

Rev. Dr. Allison was the supply from 1752 until his death,
November, 1777.

Rev. Dr. John Ewing became the pastor in 1759; died Sept.,
1802, aged seventy years.

Rev. John Blair Linn was called to the church in 1799.
He never recovered from a sunstroke in 1802, and died in 1804,
aged twenty-seven years.

Rev. Dr. James P. Wilson was ordained May 1, 1806.

Rev. Albert Barnes was called in 1830.

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Another church was established in 1730 in Providence town-
ship, on the Ridge turnpike, about four miles below Norristown.
The next was the Norriton Church, before 1740, at the junction
of the Germantown and Perkiomen turnpikes, three miles north-
east of Norristown — a small one-story building, still standing.

During the excitement produced by AVhitefield's vigorous
preaching the Tennents followed his style. Whitefield was
refused the use of the churches then existing in the city,
and j)reached for some time from the steps of the old court-
house in Market street, then from the balcony of a private
house, and afterward from a stage erected for him by his friends
on the site now occu])ied by the Third Presbyterian Churoh.
William Tcmient of Neshaminy had renounced the authority
of the Philadelphia Presbytery since 1739. The style of

Omrches. 309

preaching gave great offence to some, while it pleased the New
Lights. Many members withdrew from the First (or Mr, An-
drews's) Church, and built the building on Fourth street — seventy
by one hundred feet, of brick. The presbytery was also s})lit by
the withdrawal of nine from the sN^iod, who were all able men.
This also rent the presbyteries throughout the country. The
new Presbytery of Londonderry was organized, and with the
Presbytery of New Brunswick formed a synod to meet at Phila-
delphia. The congregation of the Second Church worshipped,
under Gilbert Tennent, in the "New Building" in Fourth street
till 1749, when the trustees of the Academy giving notice they
would require it, a lot was bought at the north-Avest corner of
Third and Arch streets. It was eighty feet on Third street and
ninety-eight and a half feet on Arch street. The corner-stone
was laid May 17, 1750. My great-grandfather was one of the
trustees to sell the lot on Fourth street, and was treasurer of the
building committee of the new church. He died in 1754. In
it the following gentlemen ministered successively, either as
pastors or colleagues: Gilbert Tennent, John Murray, James
Sproat, Ashbel Green, John N. Abeel, Jacob J. Janeway, Thos.
H. Skinner, Joseph San ford, and Cornelius C. Cuyler.

"The new Presbyterian church was built in 1750 by the
New Lights in the north-west part of the town " — Third and
Arch. "The New Lights built first in 1741, in the western
part of the town. Fourth below Arch, a great house, to hold
divine worship in. But a division arising amongst them after
the departure of Whitefield, and besides on other accounts, the
building was sold to the town in 1750. The New Lights
then built a church which I call the New Presbyterian Church.
On its eastern pediment is the following inscription in golden
letters : ' Templum Presbyterianum anciente numine erectum.
Anno Dom. MDCCL.' " (Kalm's Travek, i. 41.) This stone
was afterward placed at the entrance of the graveyard.

It is a curious fact that during the eighty-three years this
church was occuj)ied the congregation considered their worship
much disturbed by the passing of vehicles, and in 1795 they
memorialized the mayor and Councils, asking to be allowed to
fix chains at the corner of Third and Mulberry (Arch street) to.
prevent the interruptions. This the city authorities refused to
grant, but the Legislature soon after passed a law in favor of it,
and so every Sabbath morning the sexton stretched the chains
across both Arch and Tiiird streets. It appears that this plan
did not work satisfactorily, for horsemen would insist on jump-
ing the chains and making considerable noise.

Many prominent men of the last generation were members of
that church — such men as Peter S. Duponceau, Charles Chauncey,
Thomas Bradford, Ebenezer Hazard, postmaster-general, Josiah
Randall, Thomas Leiper, Isaac Snowden, Andrew Bayard, Samuel

310 Annals of Philadelphia.

Stille, Alexander Plenry, Matthew L. Bevan, and others well
known at that time.

The steeple was taken down in 1805 (?), the ])uilding enlarj^ed
in 1809; the church itself was sold and demolished in 1837-38,
and its site occupied by four-storv stores extending from the cor-
ner along; Arch street and along: Third street. The cong-regation,
with the proceeds, in part, of this property and several other lots
owned by them on Third street, erected a beautiful marble-front
church on Seventh street, east side, below Arch street, on lots
bought from Messre. Stille and Cresson, It was opened in July,
1837.- This was the second church lighted with gas, Dr. Be-
thuue's, Tenth and Filbert, having been lit the Sunday before.

This church was sold in 1871, and is now a variety theatre.
The congregation built in 1869-72 a beautiful church at the
south-east corner of Twenty-first and Walnut, of M'hich Rev. Dr.
Beadle is pastor.

John Ely kept a school in a one-storied frame building on a
part of the church lot, on Third street, north of it, in 1792; he
died in 184-. This schoolhouse was pulled .down, and a three-
storied back building erected for the charity-schools of the church,
and a lecture-room. This and the adjoining buildinofs were sold
when the new church in Seven tii street was built, in 1837.

Elias Boudinot, LL.D., gave to the church a row of four three-
storied houses at the south-east corner of Ninth and Cherry streets
for the use of poor pious Avomen. They were thus occupied until
1856, when they were sold to Samuel Jeanes for ten thousand
seven hundred dollars, and were pulled down in 1857. The
occupants removed to the south-east corner of Eleventh and
Cherry, purchased Mith part of the proceeds for six thousand
seven hundred dollars.

Arch Street Church — Tenth Church. — The church on Arch street,
above Tenth, built for Rev. Dr. Skinner, was established after
that, coming from Locust street. The Tenth Church, at Walnut
and Twelfth streets, was projected by the late Furman Leaming,
at that time in the hardware business in Market street. The
corner-stone was laid on the 13th day of July, 1828, and the
church was opened for service in December, 1829. The contrib-
utors were John Stille, Furman Leaming, Solomon Allen, George
Ralston, James Kerr, and William Brown, all of whom are now
dead. The Rev. Dr. Thomas McAuley of Xew York was the
first pastor, but, not ])roving very successful, he returned again to
New York in January, 1833. After being without a pastor until
the fall of that year, the Rev. Henry A. Boardman, a young man
just admitted to the ministry at Princeton, was called, and re-
mained with the church until his resignation in May, 1876. The
church was ver}' prosperous under Dr. Boardman, he being a greac
favorite with the congregation.

The old Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, which was once in

Churches. 311

JR,anstead place, in Fourth between Chestnut and Market streets,
was pulled down in 1842 to give place to the Artisan Buildings,
built by H. Cowperthwait, and which were destroyed by fire.
The Tabernacle Church built an edifice in Broad street above
Chestnut, which is called the Seventh Presbyterian Church.

BAPTISTS.

The Baptists established their first church at Pennypack in
1687, and the second in the " Barbadoes Store" in 1695.

Dr. William T. Brantley, formerly pastor of the First Bap-
tist Church in Second street, died at Charleston, South Car-
olina, in April, 1845. His son, of the same name, was called to
and occupied the new Baptist church on Chestnut street above
Eighteenth in 1857, vacated by Pev. Mr. Clark, the first pastor
of it. This son resigned in 1861, and left for the South as a seces-
sionist, as did also Rev. Mr. Cuthbert, his brother-in-law, pastor
of the church Broad and Arch streets ; both their wives were from
the South.

There was a church building in the middle of what is now
called Girard avenue, on the line of Sixth street. It was the
North Baptist Church, which was originally established in Eliza-
beth street, above Parrish. It was built in 1845-46, and is
found among a list of Philadelphia churches for 1847. It is the
same congregation, we presume, which now worships in* the Bap-
tist church on Eighth street above Master. The reason why the
church was put on Girard avenue was that Franklin street (now
Girard avenue), which ran from Germantown road west, extended
no farther than Sixth street, the ground beyond being in Penn
Township. When Girard avenue was laid out the church build-
ing was taken down. Girard avenue, when originally laid out,
extended only from Broad street west. It was not open from
Broad street to Sixth street in 1847.

FRIENDS.

Friends^ Meeting, p. 449. — The wall was originally very low,
with a soapstone coping, and was probably raised to prevent the
boys from the opposite academy in Fourth street running and
playing on it, as they were in the habit of doing. W^liile digging
for the foundation of the present meeting-house many of the dead
were disinterred, and considerable excitement occasioned by it,
and offence given to some of the older families whose friends were
buried there.

A row of Lombardy poplars surrounded the new wall outside,
many of which were broken and blown down by an uncommon
snowstorm in May, 180-. They have all since been removed,
partly on this account and partly on account of tlie alarm created
by worms, said to have been very poisonous, which infested the

312 Annals of Philadelphia.

trees. A very old Lombardy was blown down in 1846 in front
of the Friends' Academy in Fourth street below Chestnut.

LUTHERAN CHURCHES.

P. 451. — See a history of these in the Reg. Penna., iv. 369,
drawn up by the son of Rev. Mr. Schmidt, one of the pastors.
The Quakers and Swedish Lutherans were the first congregations
established within the first five years of Penn's settlement. The
German Lutherans, as mentioned by Watson, I. 451, worshipped
in the frame building on Allen's lot in Arch street below Fifth
as early as 1734. There are known to have been the following
preachers in 1742: Anthonv John Hinckle in 1726; Johann
Caspar Stoever in 1728 ; John Peter Miller in 1730; John Philip
Stricter in 1737; Rev. Mr. Faulkner, ordained by the Swedish
Lutherans ; and Rev. Valentine Kraft. Many of the German
Lutherans worshipped in the Swedish cliurch at Wicaco.

The first church was built in GermantoM'u, the corner-stone
being laid by Rev. John Dylander of the Swedish Church,
in 1737. He served for a few years, and was succeeded by Mr.
Kraft for one year, Rev\ H. M. Muhlenberg succeeding him on
his arrival in 1742, and at the same time serving the Phila-
delphia congregation on Fifth street. After him came Rev.
Peter Brunholtz, or Brunnholz, in 1745, assisted occasionally by
two schoolmasters, Mr. Vigero and Mr. Schaum.

There exists at present the old stone church built in 1743 in
Providence township, then in Philadelphia county, but now in
Montgomery, and called the Trappe, after an old inn that was
there. Its quaint appearance, with the old sounding-board of
walnut, and the rough pews, show it to have been built more for
strength and use than for beauty. Rev. Mr. Muhlenberg sup-
plied this pulpit also. And, as if he had not work enough to
do, he preached to the Lutheran congregation at New Hanover,
Philadelphia county, the largest one in the State, and taught
school every week-day to young men and women.

In 1743 the Philadelphia congregation, consisting of one hun-
dred persons, bought the lot on Fifth street, extending north
from Appletree alley, for £200, and on the 5th of April laid the
corner-stone of the church, in which service wiis held on the 20th
of October, though quite unfinished. The congregation sat on
boards placed on blocks. It was hurriedly and cheaply built,
and the steeple had to be taken down and the side-walls stiffened
by adding porches at the side, which is the reason it used to pre-
sent the shape of a cross. It was denominated St. Michael's
Church, and was completed in 1748 at a cost of about -S8000.
lu 1759 was bought the lot north-east corner of Fifth and
Cherry streets for a burial-lot, at a cost of £915, currency.
They also purchased a parsonage-house and lot, and built a

Churches. 313

schoolhouse in 1761 on Cherry street. Notwithstanding they
had erected galleries, and the schoolhouse was frequently used at
the same time as the church, the congregation went on increasing
so much that they also used the Academy in Fourth street, and
finally decided upon building another church.

A lot at the south-east corner of Fourth and Cherry streets
was bought for £1540, currency, and the corner-stone of Zion
Church was laid May 16, 1766, and consecrated June 25, 1769.
It was at the time the largest and handsomest in America.

In 1777 the British used St. Michael's for a garrison church
and Zion for a hospital. After the British left Philadelphia the
congregation returned and increased fast. They bought another
graveyard, the square from Race to Vine, between Seventh and
Eighth. In 1789 the Legislature gave the congregation, for the
use of the poor school, 5000 acres in Tioga county. They had a
very large organ built for Zion Church of the finest character.
In 1793 the congregation lost six hundred and twenty-five mem-
bers by the yellow fever. In 1794, on Christmas evening, the
building was entirely destroyed by fire, from hot ashes left in a
box in the vestry-room. In little over a year the church was
rebuilt, with the tower higher than before.

In 1800 they had four schools and two hundred and fifty
scholars. In Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia there were
fifty-three ministers, three hundred congregations, and fifty thou-
sand families. In 1802 the question of preaching in English
was warmly contested, and for several years the elections were
still in favor of the German party ; the latter finally offered the
English party St. Michael's Church and grounds and other ad-
vantages, but they declined. The English party worshipped in
1805 in the Academy, Dr. Mayer preaching to them, and finally
built St. John's Church, in R,ace street between Fifth and Sixth,
in 1809. With various efforts, to as late as 1814, the contest
was kept up, but in 1829 the English party built another church,
in New street near Fourth, called St. Matthew's. At the com-
mencement of this question the English party was rather in the
majority, but finally the German prev^ailed, and subsequently,
when the congregation became wholly German, they thought
there would be but little increase to a German congregation in
an American city excej^t by emigration, and the services were
held in both languages until the English became the only one.

Zion Church left their property at Fourth and Cherry streets,
and built a fine church on Franklin street above Ilace. The old
church was torn down, and a row of fine stores built on the
ground. These were totally destroyed by fire in 1878, but are
now being rebuilt.

Interest was lost in the venerable building of St. Michael's ;
the northern part of the property was sold to the Horstmanns,
who built their large factory upon the ground; and in 1871 the

314 Amials of Philadelphia.

church and remaining ground at Fifth and Appletree alley was
sold, and a large slioc-factory erected upon the site. Part of the
members of the church built a new St. Michael's, corner of
Trenton avenue and Cumberhind street. Thus ended the career
of one of the oldest and quaintest of our city landmarks.

Rev. Dr. Philip F. Mayer, after serving for about fifty-two
years, died April 16th, 1858, and was buried at Laurel Hill
April 19th, aged seventy-seven years. His body was laid out in
gown and stock, and was exposed to a large congregation, ^vho,
after hearing an excellent address from Dr. Pohlmann of Albany,
passed in view of the remains. He was an excellent, useful man,
highly respected and beloved by others as well as his people.
He was active in the cause of the German Library.

The south-west corner of Fifth and Cherry streets was occu-
pied for many years previous to the building of St. Michael's by
a disgraceful row of small houses, occupied by blacks. They
belonged to the father of a former highly-respected merchant.
The old gentleman might almost daily be seen walking up to
receive his rent, about twelve and a half cents from each tenant.

GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH.

The first loas built, p. 452. — See an account of this church by
Rev. Dr. Berg, a man of peculiar views, Avho resigned as ]>astor
in 1852. He afterward preached to a congregation in White-
field's room in the Academy. Rev. Mr. Berg's congregation af-
terward built a new church in Race street below Fourth. After
preaching in it for some time, he resigned to become professor at
Kew Brunswick.

It is doubtful whether the church mentioned by Watson is the
first one, as one is mentioned in old documents as being in Fourth
street north of Race, and Du Simitiere's MSS. speak of one being
torn down in Fourth street. It appears by a record at Harrisburg
"that a Calvinistic Reformed Church was begun in 1763 in Fourth
north of Race street, but that the parties not being able to finish
it, it was ordered, by a law passed Feb. 18th, 1769, to be sold
for the payment of its debts." Trustees being appointed, it was
sold and purchased by the Methodists, and is now St. George's,
in Fourth near New street. The stone in the front wall says,
"Founded 1763; purchased by Methodists 1770; remodelled in
1837."

The first congregation in this State we have an account of among
the Germans was that formed by John Pliili)> Boehm in Whit-
pain township, sixteen miles from Philatlelphia, about 1726. A
small church of thick stone walls was built in 1740, in which
Mr. Boehm officiated till his death. May 1st, 1749, and where
he was buried. This church was replaced by another in 1818.

A body of one hundred and nine Palatines from Rotterdam

Churches. 315

and Dover, with the Rev. George Micliael Weiss at their head,
arrived in Pliiladelphia Sept. 27, 1727. Shortly after Mr. Weiss
and a part of these immigrants settled at Skippack, twenty-four
miles from the city, and built a log church. In 1729, Mr. Weiss
returned to Holland to raise contributions of money and books.
He Mas probably succeeded by Rev. John Henry Goetschiey, who
liad lately arrived ; his circuit for preaching was a large one.
Mr. Weiss, when he returned to America, settled as pastor at
Ilhinebeck, near Alban\', where he remained until the Indian
war, when he returned to Philadelphia in 1732. Here he or-
ganized the first German Reformed congregation of the city, and
preached in a barn or frame building on William Allen's lot, on
Arcli street near Fifth. They probably built him some small
church, as there are allusions to such a building. He probably
remained here until 1746, when he became pastor at Goshenhop-
pen and Great Swamp. Rev. Philip Boehm next supplied this
pul[)it, as well as those of Germantown and Whitpain. He en-
gaged in a controversy with Count Zinzendorf (or Lewis vou
Tiiurnstein), who came as inspector-general over the Lu-
therans.

The "octagon" church alluded to by Watson, Vol. I. p. 452,
■was built in 1746-47 of stone, in hexagon shape, with a cupola
or steeple surmounted by the usual church-vane of a cock.

Rev. Michael Schlatter arrived in 1746, and assisted Mr.
Boehm, but was installed by him as pastor January 1, 1747,
and of Germantown Church in the following month. He was
obliged to loan the congregation sixty pounds to finish the
church. He served faithfully until the arrival of Rev. John
Conrad Steiner, in September, 1749, who attached a number of
the congregation to him, and a disturbance finally arose which
was only settled by referring the question of the right of either
pastor to the church to a body of five Quakers and one Episco-
palian, who decided in favor of Schlatter. The ill-feeling en-
gendered among the congregation still lingered ; Sphlatter wearied
of the contest, and he was appointed to visit Europe to solicit aid
for the Reformed churches in the State. He sailed February 5,
1751.

The one hundred and seventy adherents of Steiner built him
a house and church combined at a little distance from the old one,
in which he remained only a year.

Another church was built at Falkner Swamp, Philadelphia
county, in 1727 ; it had several pastors until 1748, when Rev.
John Philip Leidich was appointed.

A German Reformed church was established in Germantown
in 1728 l)y John Bechtel, the congregation meeting at his house
twice daily until 1733, when they built a small church. Bechtel
was licensed by the Heidelberg authorities, and ordained by
Bishop David Nitschman of the Moravian Church.

316 Annals of Philadelphia.

At this time a union of all the Germans — Reformed, Luther-
an, Moravian, etc. — was proposed, each denomination to retain
its ecclesiastical connections and control of its affairs, subject
to this Christian union or " unity of spirit." Bechtel, George
Neisser, Nitschman, and others strongly favored it, while Boehra,
Weiss, Dorsitus, and Goetschiey as vigorously opposed it. Bech-
tel's congregation not favoring it, he was dismissed, and his pulpit
was supplied by Boehm, Weiss, and others until the arrival of
Rev. Michael Schlatter in 1746, who was installed as ])astor.
The church united with that of Philadelphia, and Mr. Schlatter
served both congregations, besides performing considerable mis-
sionary duty. This church is fully described in Vol. II. p.
24.

There were churches organized at Great Swamp, Old Goshen-
hoppen, and New Goshenhoppen, which were served by Rev.
Messrs. Goetschiey, Schlatter, and Weiss from 1730 to 1747 and
for some time after ; also, at Providence (now '' The Trappe " in
Montgomery county), of which Rev. John Philip Leidich was
pastor in 1748; at Allemingle, Philadelphia county, of which
Rev. John Brandmiller was pastor in 1746 ; and at Manatawney,
or Oley, in 1746.

The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the organization
of the Reformed Church in Philadelphia was observed in the
First Church, Race street below Fourth, on the evening of
Friday, September 21st, 1877, and by various services on the
following Sabbath. The special event commemorated was the
landing here of Rev. George M. Weiss, with about four hundred
refugee immigrants from the Palatinate, Germany, on September
21, 1727. Pastor Weiss, with fifty male members of his charge,
appeared before the Proprietary Council at the court-house on
that day, and on behalf of the colony signed a paper pledging
them to " bear allegiance to the king and the Proprietor." The
colony then landed, and Avith their pastor soon after began the
worship of the Reformed Church, continued by the denomina-
tion to the present time. There are several congregations of the
Reformed Church in the city.

ROMAN CATHOLIC.

There u'as a Roman chapel, p. 453. — In Peff. Penna., vol. xv.
200, is a letter from Rev. Jed. Andrews, pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church, in which he gives an account of the relig-
ious sects in Philadelj)hia in 1730. He docs not mention any
Catholics, but after speaking of the great accession of Irish and
Scotch innnigrants arriving, he mentions "divers new con-
gregations " " as forming by these new-comers." Xearly 6000
arrived in 1729; it is possible, therefore, that out of them this
chapel may have had its origin.

Churches. 317

The number of Catholics in 1757, in and about Philadelphia,
being all Irish and English, was — men, 72 ; women, 78 ; of Ger-
mans, men, 107; women, 121 — such as receive sacraments. (See
Penna. Archives, iii. 144 ; Col. JRecs., vii. 328.)

It appears from a correspondence between Dr. Tillotson and
William Penn in 1685 that the latter was charged or suspected
of being a papist, which he denies. {Reg. Penna., ii. 29, 30.)

In the London Magazine for July, 1737, page 373, is a letter
containing the following paragraph ; the subject of the letter is
" The Growth of Papacy :"

" As I join with you about the Quakers, I shall give you a
small specimen of a notable step which the people of that pro-
fession have taken toward the Propagation of Popery abroad ;
and as I have it from a Gentleman who has lived many years in
Pennsylvania, I confide in the truth of it; let the Quakers deny
it if they can. In the Town of Philadelphia, in that Colony, is
a Publick Popish Chapel where that Religion has free and open
exercise, and in it all the superstitious Rites of that Church are
as avowedly performed as those of the Church of England are in
the royal chapel at St. James's. And this cha])el is not only
open upon Fasts and Festivals, but it is so all Day, and every
day in the week, and exceedingly frequented at all Hours, either
for publick or private devotion, tho' it is fullest (as my friend
observes) at those times when the Meeting-House of the Men
of St. Omer's is thinnest, and vice versd. This Chapel, slightly
built, and for a very good reason, is but small at present, tho'
there is much more land, purchased round it for the same pious
purposes, than Avould contain Westminster Abbey and the Apart-
ments, Offices, etc. thereunto belonging. That these are Truths
(whatever use you are pleased to make of them) you may at any
time be satisfied by any Trader or Gentleman who has been there
within a few years (except he be a Quaker), at the Carolina and
Pennsylvania Coifee-House, near the Royal Exchange."

In the year 1757, p. 454. — See Penna. Archives, vol. iii. p. 16,
131, 144; Col. Pecs., vii. 448 ; iii. 563.

Mr. Watson is not very positive in his statements about the
three Roman chapels he describes in Vol. I. 452-454, and ad-
mits that the oldest the Romanists have records of is St. Joseph's,
in Willing's alley.

The coffee-house at the north-west corner of Front and Walnut
streets, which Samuel Coates once owned, was until 1850 in the
possession of Friends from the grant of the lot by Penn to Grif-
fith Jones in 1683. It was sold by his widow, through the
sheriff, Feb. 2d, 1714, to George Clay})oole, who resold it on the
25th to Jonathan Dickinson, and was sold by his daughter Mary
in 1750 to John Reynell, and at his death in 1784 it was order-
ed to be sold, but really was not till 1822, when it became the
property of Samuel Coates, whose son, B. H. Coates, sol(\ it in

27*

318 Annals of PhUadelphia.

1850 to John Cook. Mr. Westcott very properly argues tliat, as
it was always in the ownership of Friends, no rites were likely to
have been performed there, unless such a thing may have been
allowed by some tenant in occupancy of the place.

Nor is the testimony much stronger for the property south-
east corner of Second and Chestnut streets. It is true that
Daniel England, to whom it was granted, built quite a large
house there — too large for a Catholic church at that time — but
it will be seen that Rev. J. Andrews does not mention any Ro-
manists at all in 1730, or nearly twenty-five years after this
house was built.

Though the third place mentioned by Watson has stronger
testimony in its favor, it yet may also be considered very doubt-
ful. The John Michael Brown mentioned — not a priest, but a
physician — did own some two hundred and ninety-three acres on
what is now Xicetown lane, and on part of which Tioga now
stands, at that time on the road leading from Frankford to Ger-
mantown. Strange to say, this farm was part of a larger tract
formerly owned by Griffith Jones, who owned the house at Front
and Walnut streets, and where one of the Romish chapels ^vas
said to have been located. Dr. Brown in 1747 sold two separate
parcels of his farm — each of seven and three-quarter acres, and
for the same price, £46 — to Father Greaton, who executed mort-
gages for them. Dr. Brown in his will left certain church vest-
ments and church jilate to his sister. He was certainly a Ro-
manist, though he directed his body to be buried on his farm.
Tiie ciiapel testified to by Deborah Logan and Thomas Bradford
may have been a small private chapel built by the doctor on his
place.

The chapel alluded to in the letter from the London Magazine,
quoted above, was most probably St. Joseph's, as the Rev. Josejih
Greaton, the same priest who bought the land from Dr. Brown
in 1747, was sent to Philadelphia about 1732 from Maryland by
the Society of Jesus to establish a congregation. It is said he
even entered the city in the garb of a Quaker. He took up
ground on Walnut street adjoining the Friends' Almshouse, and
erected a small dwelling in which was the chapel. Even in after
years, when it was enlarged, it covered a lot only forty by forty
feet, though in 1748 Kalm described it as "a great house, well
adorned within, and has an organ." It soon excited attention,
and it was brouglit in 1734 to the notice of two meetings of the
Provincial Council, at which were present Thomas Penn and
Lieutenant-Governor Gordon. They were doubtful whether,
under the grant of freedom of religion by the Proprietary, it was
lawful, or whether the laws of William HI. extended to this
country and made it unlawful. Nothing further appears to have
been done; whether Gordon wrote to his superiors at home, as
directed, does not appear. However, it gradually progressed

Churches. 319

without further molestation, though the congregation seems to
liave been very poor.

Father Greaton, who was succeeded in 1750 by Rev. Robert
Harding, died in 1753, and left his property to his successor.
One church succeeded another as the congregation grew larger
until the present building, which is the fourth on the same spot.
The third was torn down in 1838 ; it was a plain building, peb-
ble-dashed on the exterior and whitewashed on the interior ; it
had a centre arch, with flat ceilings over the north and south
aisles. In this church served Bishop Conwell, Revs. Harrold,
Ryan, Cummisky, Donohue, and the celebrated John Hughes,
for whom was built the cathedral of St. John's in Thirteenth
street, and who afterward became archbishop.

The next church in order to St. Jo,seph's was at Old Goshen-
hoppen, which originated in the mission of Rev. Theo. Scheider
in 1741.

St. ]\Iary's Church, on Fourth street above Spruce, is one of the
oldest buildings in the city, being the second Romish church
erected. It was built mainly by members of St. Joseph's, under
Rev. Robert Harding. The ground was purchased in 1759-60,
and the church erected in 1763 as a branch of St. Joseph's and
a church of the Jesuits. It was enlarged in 1810, and became
the cathedral church when the first bishop of Philadelphia, Right
Rev. Michael Egan, was appointed. The diocese had formerly
been under the control of Archbishop Carroll of Baltimore.

The Roman Catholic Church in this city was much exercised
by a contest in St. Mary's Church in 1820. The Rev. AVilliam
Hogan was appointed assistant minister of St. Mary's about April,
1820. He came fi^om Limerick the year before, and settled at
Albany, which diocese he left against the wishes of Bishop Con-
nolly. He was very active in the church, building up the Sun-
day-school and becoming a favorite with a large portion of the
congregation. He preached a sermon in which his superior,
Father de Barth, was attacked ; he did not liv^e at the parsonage,
but elsewhere, and refused to do so at Bishop Conwell's order.
The bishop deposed him. The congregation petitioned for his
return and claimed the right to select their own clergyman, which
the bishop still refused, and brought certain accusations against
him. Hogan published several pamphlets in reply. An election
for trustees took place in April, 1821, and the anti-bishop party
was sustained. The bishop then excommunicated Hogan, but he,
notwithstanding, ministered. The bishop's action was approved
by the archbishop and the pope.

A few months after Bisliop England came on from Charleston
and effected a compromise between Bishop Conwell and Hogan;
the latter was to go to Charleston. It fell through, however,
and Bishop England re-excommunicated Hogan. Bishop Con-
well appointed Rev. William V. Harold, a former pastor, who soon

320 Annals of Philadelphia.

took active sides with the bishop, and thus ah'enated himself from
the congregation.

At this time Mattliew Carey wrote a pamphlet surveying both
sides and blaming both — the bishop for violating tiie canons, and
Mr. Hogan for being wilful and petulant. Mr. Carey proposed
that the bishop should remove the excommunication, and Hogan
should apologize and be associate pastor with Harold. This
pamphlet produced a number on both sides, about twenty. Mr.
Hogan was then tried for an a'isault and battery upon a female
parishioner, in which eminent counsel was engaged on both sides,
but he proved an alibi and was acfjuitted, the jury being out only
five minutes. The Hogan party then attempted in the Supreme
Court to have the charter amended, but it was twice refused.

At an election for trustees in April, 1822, the bishop's party
went to the church at three o'clock in the morning and took pos-
session of the burying-ground, and when the Hogan party arrived
at seven o'clock there Avas a struggle for possession of the church,
and heavy fighting took place; nor was the riot stopped till the
officers of the peace put an end to it. Both parties then went into
the church to hold the election, each party using an opposite side of
the church. The Hogan party, claiming to be elected, held pos-
session of the church, and the following Sunday the bishop's party
of trustees were arrested. In May a compromise was effected on
a new election to be held under the control of a Protestant um-
pire. The two parties selected Horace Binney and Clement C.
Biddle to name the umpire, and they selected General Thomas
Cadwalader. At the June election he decided the Hogan party
was elected by sixty majority.

Pope Pius VII. sent a decision, dated August 24th, 1822,
against Mr. Hogan, who signed a note of submission, and the
bishop agreed to withdraw the excommunication and restore him
to the privileges of the Church. But Hogan retracted, on the
plea it was not a true document from the pope, and Mr. Harold
wrote him sharply upon the subject. Various meetings were held
here and in New York and Baltimore. The Hogan party then
attempted to have an alteration of the charter made, but it was
vetoed by Governor Hiester in March, 1823. Efforts were then
made to effect a reconciliation with the bishop, but they failed.

The Hogan trustees next offered to place Kev. Angelo Inglesi
in their pulpit, and that Mr. Hogan would resign. The bishop
and Vicar-General Harold refused. At the election for trustees
in 1823 the sheriff and the mayor were present with their force
and prevented a riot. Each party claimed to have been elected,
and on the 3d of Aj)ril the bishop's party took possession without
arms, but, strange to say, found quite an armory inside. Chief-
Justice Tilghman bound them over to answer a forcible-entry-
and-detainer charge. It was suggested the church should remain
in the hands of the mayor until the trial was decided ; then that

Churehes. 321

it should be closed ; and finally that Aldermen Barker and Shoe-
maker should hold possession, service to be held as usual. The
verdict Avas found against the bishop's party, who carried it to
the Supreme Court, but no decision seems to have been rendered,
and the Hogan party remained in possession.

The trustees then entered into correspondence with Rev. Thad-
deus J. O'JMeally, and induced him to come over from England.
He presented his papers, and desired the bishop to confirm him.
The bishop refused. O'Meally preached, and was excommuni-
cated, and, as Hogan had gone in November, 1823, to Ireland,
continued to preach at St. Mary's. Hogan, when he left, said he
would return, but the congregation, which was ]5erhaps becoming
tired of the contest by this time, declared that Hogan having left
the church it was a virtual resignation as pastor. He came back
in June, 1824, and some one having announced he would preach
a charity sermon in the church, the trustees announced they had
given him no authority to preach. Hogan replied very sharply.
On his return from Ireland he had gone to Charleston.

In July, 1824, Hogan addressed his friends, and offered if they
could get control of St. Mary's he would be their pastor and
establish a church similar to the Greek Church — to be an Amer-
ican Catliolic church, independent of all others. He denounced
the Romish Church and advocated marriage of the priesthood, as
he was at that time contemplating it himself. He offered to ad-
vance two thousand dollars to build a church, and do without
salary until they could pay him. Nothing came of this, and his
connection with St. Mary's was closed ; and shortly after he
preached in a Protestant church in Charleston.

Mr. Hogan, while on a visit to Charleston, S. C, met for the
first time Mrs. Henrietta McKay of Wilmington, N. C, a young
and beautiful widow. Her maiden name Avas Henrietta Berry,
her father, Mr. Berry of Wilmington, having married Miss
Aneram of Charleston, S. C. She had been married, when
quite young, to Mr. McKay, a merchant of Wilmington, who
was many years her senior; and who died about three years after
their marriage, leaving her a large estate. She had two children
by her first husband, but one died while an infant; the other is
still living in Wilmington. It has always been understood in
Wilmington that Hogan aljjured his religion for the purjiose of
marrying Mrs. McKay. She was exceedingly beautiful, and as
amiable as beautiful — in every way most lovable. He proved to
be utterly unworthy of her, treated her badly, and neglected her
most shamefully. During her last illness he would absent him-
self from her to attend the race-course and other places of amuse-
ment, showing the utmost indifference to her in every possible
M'ay. It was charged at the time — and with truth — that he ap-
propriated to his own use her watch and articles of jewelry,
which he disposed of for his own benefit. She died within two
Vol. III.— V

322 Anvals of Philadelphia.

years after her marriage with him, leaving no issue by him. She
gave birth, the first year of her marriage, to a still-born infant, but
had no more. Hogan's reputation in Wilmingtoii is that of an
unprincipled adventurer and a very bad man. He was a man of
fine address and most cultivated manners, and well calculated to
win the affections of a young and confiding woman. The family
into which he married was a very prominent one in the State, and
was identified with its early colonial history. He courted, it is
said, a lady in New Jersey, whereupon her brother desired the
pleasure of his absence, Tliis was followed by Hogan sending a
challenge to the brother to fight a duel, which was declined.

Hogan afterward went to Savannah, Georgia, about the year
1827, and was admitted to the bar. He practised law, and at
the same time edited the Savannah Republican for some years.
He was a violent and an indiscreet politician, and not unfrequent-
]y got into difficulties with his opponents. He left Savannah in
1832. Hogan's reputation in Savannah was bad, although Judge
Wayne and Judge Law, in a certificate furnished Hogan while a
member of the Georgia bar, declare that " his standing among his
brethren is that of a moral, upright, and honorable gentleman."

He married again, in Savannah, Mrs. Lydia White Gardner,
the widow of a wealthy j^lanter; she was a native of New Hamp-
shire. After that he settled in Boston about 1842, and became a
leader of the Native American party, although a native of Ire-
land, encouraging the attacks upon his old sovereign the pope
which were very popular at that time in INIassachusetts. He ed-
ited the Daihj American, but the paper failed in 1843, and he
removed to Nashua and boarded at the Indian Head Hotel, and
wrote books against the Romish Church, and lectured in difierent
cities. On one of these occasions he drank some water which he
believed had been poisoned, and was never well afterward. He
died Jan. 23, 1848, aged fifty-two years, and left considerable
property to his wife, who died in 1875. It is hard to imagine
a more varied career than was Hogan's.

After Hogan left the church, Mr. O'Meally had sharp discus-
sions with the bishop. Finally, the trustees sent him to Rome,
where he received no countenance, and was put under censure
and signed a recantation. Many of the Hogan ites left the
church, and the quarrel was the most injurious to the Church
in this country that has hap])ened. The unyielding nature of
the bishop, backed l)y ISIr. Ilarold, a learned but j)roud and big-
oted man, had nuich to do with the unfortunate affair.

St. Auf/ustine's. — This church, on Fourth street above Race,
was dedicated in 1801 ; the present church is 62 feet by 125 feet,
with a steeple 188 feet high. The former, church was burned in
the Native American riots on the 8th of INIay, 1844, and rebuilt
in 1846. With the church was destroyed Rush's masterpiece of
wood-sculpture, the Crucifixion, besides the old clock and bell

ZION, (iERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.— Pages 219 and 31."!.

ST. AUGUSTINE. FIRST CHURCH.— Pages 20G and 322.

THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR i ENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

Churches. 323

Avhich had been formerly on the State House, and which, in
1826, when the front was improved, had been placed in a cupola
erected for them ; it was done through the exertions and sub-
scriptions of a number of those living in the neighborhood and
desirous of having a clock.

Nicholas Fagan, who both designed and built the first church
of St. Augustine — 1796-1801 — was a man of marked ability as
an architect, and was at that time tliought to be one of the best
in this country. A member of a well-known Dublin family of
that name, he came in early boyhood to Philadelphia, Avhere a
part of his relatives had preceded him a number of years. He
was carefully educated, and chose the profession of an architect
and builder. He designed and built many of the buildings
erected in the Philadelphia of that day. Nicholas Fagan was a
strikingly handsome man, of pleasing manners and address. He
died in early manhood. The late John Fagan, the stereotyper,
was his son. There was much difficulty in obtaining funds for
the erection of the church. The Revolution had left the country
so poor that the " hard times " mended but slowly. Still, money
came in, in moderate sums, continuously. Among the many con-
tributors to the building-fund were General Washington, Com-
modore Barry, Stephen Girard, George Meade, General INIont-
gomery, and Matthew Carey. Captain John Walsh, the father-
in-law of Nicholas Fagan, who after the Revolutionary War had
entered the lumber business, donated to St. Augustine's church
nearly all the lumber used in its construction.

THE MORAVIAN CHURCH.

P. 454. — This has been pulled down, and a new church erected
at Franklin and Wood streets, above Vine, on a part of their bury-
ing-ground ; during its building they worshipped in the Academy,
1854-55. The church was opened in the morning by a sermon by
Dr. Berg; afternoon, by the pastor. Dr. Schweinitz; in the even-
ing, by Dr. Newton of St. Paul's (Episcopal), all of which were
printed. Dr. Schweinitz afterward removed to Litiz.

On Sunday, Nov. 25, 1877, the church held its one hundred
and thirty-fifth anniversary, on which occasion the building was
profusely decorated with flowers, and the Rev. Herman Jacob-
son said :

" When the first Moravians arrived in this country Pennsyl-
vania was almost a wilderness : its boundaries were the Susque-
hanna and the Blue Mountains. Philadelphia was in its infancy;
its number of iidiabitants thirteen thousand, its number of houses
fifteen hundred, and the greater portion of the city lay south of
Market street. On Race street, between Second and Sixth, not
more than a dozen houses had been erected. Pennsylvania at
that time presented a great mixture of nations — English, French,
Scotch, Irish, Germans, Swedes, Swiss, Dutch, Jews, and Indians.

324 Annals of Philadelphia.

The number of Germans was estimated at one hundred thousand
to one hundred and twenty thousand.

"Every variety of religious creed was represented, and the
expression 'Pennsylvania religion/ for jiersons caring neither for
God nor His word, had become proverbial. The first iNIoravians
an-ived in 1734. From 1734 to 1741 quite a number of them
came from Georgia, as their colony there had proved a failure on
account of the climate. They worked altogether as home mis-
sionaries.

" Count Zinzendorf arrived in Philadelphia December 10, 1741.
He was full of religious enthusiasm, eager to jjreach the gospel
to all men. His idea was to unite all Protestant denominations
into a Christian confederacy. He certainly did not come to this
country with a view of founding Moravian congregations. His
activity consisted in preaching in Philadelphia and the neighbor-
hood, and in holding seven synods or free meetings of all denom-
inations, most of them at Germantown, each lasting two or three
days, the first in January, 1742, and the last in June, 1742.
These meetings were without practical result, but they served to
awaken a greater interest in relii>:ious matters.

" In INIay, 1742, Zinzendorf was called by the Lutherans of
Philadelphia to be their pastor, but as he intended soon to set
out on his famous journey to the Indian country, he appointed in
his place John C. Pyrlseus, a minister of the Moravian Church.
There was a strong faction in the Lutheran Church hostile to
the Moravians, and July 9, 1742, Pyrlseus, while officiating in
church, was forcibly ejected by a gang of ruffians. Some of the
congregation followed him.

"This event led to the erection of the First ]Moravian Church
in Philadelphia, corner Race and Bread streets. The foundation-
stone was laid September 10, and the church was dedicated No-
vember 25, 1742. Zinzendorf himself paid for its erection out
of his own means. The first members composing this congre-
gation were mostly Germans, but iu October, 1742, they were
joined by quite a number of Moravians from England. The
congregation was formally organized January 12, 1743, by Zin-
zendorf, on the eve of his departure for Europe. The Moravians
at that time had no less than twenty-five preaching-places in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

"In 1747 the young congregation passed through a dangerous
crisis which threatened its dissolution on account of the diffi^'r-
ences between the English and German members. In 1817 the
German language was altogether dropped in the services ; up to
that year there had been German and P2nglish preaching alter-
nately. In 1819 a new church was erected in the same loctition,
corner Race and Bread streets. January 26, 1856, the present
church edifice, corner Franklin and Wood streets, was dedicated.
It stands on a portion of the old Moravian graveyard, in which

Churches. 325

the first interment took place in 1756. The congregation is at
present in a flourishing condition, promising well for the future."

EPISCOPAL.

St. PauVs Church, p. 455. — A printed account of this church
was written by Dr. Tyng, then its pastor, but afterward of Epiph-
any, on the north-west corner of Fifteenth and Chestnut streets.
He was called to New York. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr,
Allen at St. Paul's, and afterward by Dr. Newton, who published
an account of the church.

Dr. Tyng was succeeded at Epiphany Church by Mr. Fowles,
Mdio was much beloved. He died in South Carolina, at the house
of Kev. Mr. Pringle in Richland District, in 1854. His remains
were brought to this city and interred in the ground of the church,
over which a monument to his memory was erected.

Dudley A. Tyng (son of Rev. Stephen H., as above), while set-
tled very agreeably at Cincimiati, was invited to take the place
of Mr. Fowles, and entered on his duties May 14, 1855, and
so continued till November, 1856, when he resigned his charge.
On the 29th of June, 1856, he preached a sermon "On Our
Country's Troubles," chiefly in allusion to Kansas affairs, taking
the popular side of the question, during the delivery of which he
was interrupted by one of the vestry (Dr. Caspar Morris) rising
from his seat and publicly addressing him. This sermon induced
the vestry to ask his resignation. It appears from the statement
published that there had not been for some time the most friendly
leelings toward the pastor. Mr. Tyng resigned, and the sermon
and statements by the pastor and vestry were printed in pamphlet,
form.

Mr. Tyng and numerous persons from Epiphany began hold-
ing meetings at the National Hall, Market below Thirteenth,
which was constantly filled. There they organized the Church
of the Covenant in March, 1857, on which occasion Mr. Tyng
preached a sermon, which was printed. They proposed erecting
a church to contain three thousand persons, half the seats to be
free, toward which a considerable sum was subscribed. The next
Sunday Rev. Stephen H. Tyng preached a sermon, which was
printed.

Mr. Tyng's labors, however, were suddenly arrested by his
death, which occurred April 19th, 1858. In examining a ma-
chine at the place where he resided at Conshohocken, about nine
miles from the city, his arm became entangled, and the upper
portion was so much lacerated as to require amputation ; death
ensued two days after. The grief of the citizens was general, as
they had become much attached to him for his bold, vigorous
character and as a most useful man of prominent talents and
pleasing manners.

326 Annals of Philadelphia.

METHODISTS.

P. 458. — John Hood was a ladies' shoemaker, and a very re-
spectable man amongst Methodists. He occasionally exhorted.

Eastburn was for many years associated with Peter Lesley as a
blind- and coffin-maker. Their shop was a red frame, standing
with gable to Arch street, and occujiying the space from the steeple
to the street, before the chnrch at Third and Arch was enlarged
by taking in the steeple, in 1805. Joseph Eastbnrn was appointed
an evangelist, and left the bnsiness several years before his death.

The congregation purchased a shell of a church on the 23d of
November, 1769. This church was subsequently called St.
George's, a name which it still retains. The property was form-
ally deeded in September, 1770, to Richard Boardman, Joseph
Pilmoor, Thomas Webb, Edward Evans, Daniel Montgomery,
John Dower, Edmund Beach, Robert Fitzergald, and James Em-
erson. For a long time the church edifice remained unfinished.
The British army allowed the Methodists to worship in the First
Baptist Church in Lagrange street. When the army left Phil-
adelphia the Methodists 'reassembled in the church. They half
covered the ground with a floor, and put up a square box on the
north side for a pulpit. Mr. Pilmoor preached five months, and
when he left there were one hundred and eighty-two in the society.
The society boarded Mr. Pilmoor at fifteen shillings a week, paid
for his washing, postage, shaving; also furnished him with a paper,
scarlet cap, yarn cap, wig, and gave him in cash about £33 ds.
lOJr/. On Friday, March 23d, 1770, the first American love-
feast was held in this city. Mr. Boardman followed Mr. Pilmoor
at St. George's. Mr. Pilmoor returned in July, 1770, and not
only occupied the pulpit at St. George's, but in the afternoon
would take his stand upon the State House steps and in other
eligible positions in different parts of the city. On Monday,
October 4th, 1771, he preached the funeral sermon of Mr. Ed-
ward Ev^ans, one of the original trustees, who had been converted
thirty years previously under Mr. AVhitefield. On Sabbath, Oc-
tober 27th, 1771, Francis Asbury and Richard Wright, after a
voyage of more than fifty days, reached Philadelj)hia. On the
f >llowing Monday evening Mr. Asbury preached his first sermon
in America in St. George's Church, and on the 4th of Xovember
held his first American watch-night. In 1791 the galleries were
])ut in the church. Rev. Richard Wright, who shared with him
the pastorate of St. George's, remained but a short time, returning
to England in 1774.

THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.

Extracts from a MS. sermon of Rev. Mr, Furness, late ])astor
of the Unitarian Church, Tenth and Locust streets, preached in
1848 (he resigned January 12, 1875):

Churches. 327

" It is just twenty-three years this day since I first officiated
in this church." " On Sunday, 12th June, 1796, nearly fifty-two
years ago, fourteen persons assembled for the first time in this city
as Unitarian Christians to establish and observe religious worship
upon the simple principles of our faith. The meeting took place
in a room in the University of Pennsylvania granted for the
purpose. The number was shortly increased to twenty-one.
Such was the commencement of the first Congregational Uni-
tarian church in this city, and, I believe, the first professedly
Unitarian company of worshippers on this continent; so that
this church may claim to be the oldest Unitarian church in the
country. Of its first fourteen members none now survive. The
religious services of this little comjmny were conducted by its
members in turn. There are grounds for connecting the distin-
guished name of Priestley with this the earliest effort made in
this country in behalf of liberal Christianity." He then gives a
short sketch of Priestley, and says :

"He came to this country in 1794. In the winter of '95 and
'96 he delivered lectures in this city, which drew around him
many eminent citizens, Philadelphia being then the seat of the
general government. The arrival of Dr. Priestley was one of
the circumstances which led to the formation of this religious
society. He was ])resent at some of the preliminary meetings,
and after the association was formed he recorded his name ; it
stands in the books of the church among its members ; although
he never officiated, as he was not a resident of the city, yet he
attended the services of the infant church whenever he came to
the city from Northumberland, where he made his home and
where his ashes now repose."

" This small flock continued to meet regularly every Sunday
until 1800, when its meetings were discontinued, some of the
members having died and others being scattered by the visita-
tions of the epidemic which in those years was fearful and fatal
here, as it is to this day in our Southern cities." (These must
have been in the Old Academy building, the University in Ninth
street not having been finished till 1797.)

"In 1807 the church resumed its regular worshi]) under the
care of Mr. William Christie, the author of a very able and com-
plete volume on the unity of God." [See a notice in Poulson's
Advertiser, May 20, 1807, of these regular meetings, conducted
by E,ev. Mr. Christie at " Carpenters' Hall, near the Custom-
House ;" as the latter was then in the hall, the society probably
occupied a room of the company on the side of the court.]
" The place of meeting at tiiis time was for a brief space the
Universallst church in Lombard street. After a few months a
private room was obtained, from which, however, the society was
soon compelled to withdraw, their religious views having excited
prejudice and alarm. A place of worship was next found iu

328 Annals of Philadelphia.

Clmreli alley, where they remained without molestation until &
small church (the cupola of which, by the way, now surmounts
the public schoolhouse at the north-east corner of Twelfth and
Locust streets) was erected, on a portion of the ground occupied
by our present building, in 1813. Mr. Christie conducted the
services only for a few months. He was succeeded by three
members of the church, who led the service by turns — Mr.
Eddowes, Mr. Vaughan, and Mr. Taylor. In 1811 the project
of building a church was started, and after many difficulties,
by great effort and by liberal assistance from the well-disposed
among their fellow-citizens, and at an expense of some $30,000,
a small brick church of an octagonal shape, about half the size
of the present church, was erected and dedicated in 1813. In
1815, Mr. Vaughan ceased to take part in conducting the relig-
ious services. In 1820, Mr. Eddowes was led by increasing age
and infirmity also to retire. In 1823, Mr. Taylor followed the
example of his associates. In 1825 the present pastor was or-
dained. In November, 1828, nearly twenty years ago, this
building Mas completed, the corner-stone having been laid in
March of the same year."

SWEDENBORGIAN.

The First Swedenborgian Church of this city was formerly at
the south-east corner of Twelfth and Sansom streets, in a build-
ing afterward occupied by the Academy of Natural Sciences.
There are three congregations now.

CHURCH HISTORY.

In the Philadelphia Christian Observer, edited by Rev. Dr.
Converse, there is a series of numbers — 1 to 33, commencing
April, 1853, and ending December, 1853 — giving reminiscences
of the writer, Rev. Mr. Mitchell, then attached to Pine Street
Church, Fourth and Pine, where his father was for some time
chorister or clerk, and perhaps elder. These " Brief Notes on
the Churches of Philadelphia" are in general very correct. They
do not profess to be histories of the churches, but contain many
facts of value and interest. Most of the events, as currently
reported at the period embraced, were fresh in the recollection
of those living at the time of their publication.

The entire number of churches in Philadelphia is probably
under five hundred and fifty. If the whole were assessed at an
average price of ten thousand dollars each — which may be half
the real value — the amount of tax re;ilized, at present rates, would
be about one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.

Pennsylvania Hospital. S29

PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL.

P. 460. — See proceedings respecting the law for a hospital in
Col. Recs., V. 513, 516, 526; also an Address at the Centennial
celebration by Dr. George B. Wood, June 10, 1851. It contains
a list of contributors, managers, physicians, etc. from the be-
ginning.

In 1750 a number of benevolent individuals applied to the As-
seml)ly for a charter for a hospital. It was granted in May, 1751,
by James Hamilton, lieutenant-governor under Thomas and Rich-
ard Penn, and £2000 were to be given as soon as a like amount
was subscribed. More than that amount was soon raised, and on
July 1st the contributors elected as managers Joshua Crosby,
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Bond, Samuel Hazard, Pichard
Peters, Israel Pemberton, Jr., Samuel Phodes, Hugh Poberts,
Joseph Morris, John Smith, Evan Morgan, Charles Norris;
treasurer, John Reynell.

In the year 1751 a few benevolent persons rented a private
house, the residence of Judge Kinsey, on the soutii side of Mar-
ket street, above Fifth, and there first established the Pennsyl-
vania Hospital. On this same lot of Kinsey's, Mary Masters
built the fine house that Robert Morris, and afterward General
Washington, lived in. Medicines were given out, thus establish-
ing the first dispensary.

They applied to the Proprietaries for a lot of ground on the
south side of Mulberry (or Arch) street, between Ninth and
Tenth streets. The Proprietaries oifered a lot on the north side
of Sassafras (or Race) street between Sixth and Seventli streets,
part of what is now Franklin Square. The managers objected
to it, because "it is a moist piece of ground, adjoining to the
brickyards, from M'hich the city hath been supplied with bricks
about forty years past, where there are ponds of standing water,
and therefore must be unhealthy, and more fit for a burying-place
— to which use a part of it is already applied — than for
any other jnirpose; besides, as it is a part of a square allotted
for public uses, as the old maps of the city will show, our fellow-
citizens would tax us with injustice to them if we should accept
of this lot by a grant from our present Proprietaries on such
terms as would seem to imply our assenting to their having a
right to the remainder of tiie square." These noble men were
determined to carry out their useful work properly. They then
offered to buy the first proposed lot, and declined to accept a
large lot oifered them by one of their own number, because it
was a mile out of town, as it would be inconvenient to the
physicians who gave their time and skill. The Proprietaries
finally granted to the hospital about one acre on the northern
part of the square they now occupy, the remainder of the

28*

330 Annals of Philadelphia.

square having been purchased in 1754 from individuals at a
low rate.

On tlic 28th of May, 1755, the corner-stone of the new hos-
pital building was laid, and the following year the eastern
wing was completed and occupied ; the western wing was first
used in 1796, and the centre building in 1805; in 1851-52 the
eastern wing was rebuilt, and at that time many important per-
manent improvements were made. So diligent and successful
were they in their a])plications for contributions that scarce a
tradesman, or even a laborer, was employed in any part of the
Mork without first engaging a reasonable part to. be charitably
api)lied in the premises. John Key, the first-born, was present,
by invitation, at the laying of the corner-stone. The hospital is
placed in the centre of a plot of ground of four and a quarter
acres, which has always for sanitary purposes been carefully
cultivated; the tall buttonwood trees around the enclosure were
j^lanted more than one hundred years ago. These buttonwood
or Occidental plane trees, the largest growth of our forests, were
planted in 1756 by Hugh Roberts, one of the first managers.
They owned also the vacant square to the east, and several lots
to the south and west — in all about ten acres. Unable to com-
plete the whole building, they yet commenced on a liberal scale,
adopted a symmetrical plan, and filled it out at successive periods
as they got the funds and as the population required it. The
hospital is intended to accommodate two hundred and twenty-
five patients; the largest number at any one time under treat-
ment has been about three hundred ; of this number, however,
one hundred and twenty-five were insane persons; but the latter,
since 1841, have been exclusively treated in the Department for
the Insane on the west of the River Schuylkill.

Since the hospital was first ojiened nearly one hundred thou-
sand patients have been admitted within its walls. Its benefits
have not been confined to the native-born ; during the last ten
years, of nearly nineteen thousand admissions, only eight thou-
sand were born in the United States. ]\Iedieal and surgical
cases are alike received, and any case of accidental injury, if
brought to the gate within twenty-four hours, is received with-
out question. This institution is, and always has been, the great
"accident hospital" of this large manufacturing city.

The hospital is provided with every appliance for the comfort
and cure of its patients, and no pains or expense have ever been
spared to render the wards healthy ; and since the introduction
of the forced ventilation, which was effected during the past year
at an expense of about six thousand dollars, we believe that it
would be almost impossible to offer more favorable surroundings
in any hospital for the recovery of the sick and wounded. By
aid of the fan twenty-six thousand cubic feet of fresh, pure air is
lorced through this building per minute, or six thousand cubic

Pennsylvania Hospital. 331

feet per hour for every patient. The air from the fan is driven
into various clianibers in the basement. It there comes in con-
tact with coils of iron pipe, which are heated by steam. Thence
the warm air is distributed to the various parts of tiie hospital,
while the foul air is taken out through openings near the floor.
For more than two years no case of pyemia, or " hospital dis-
ease," so called, has occurred in the wards.

The managers, with their usual liberality, have now introduced
into the service of the hospital an ambulance, and the telegraph
to communicate with all parts of this great city ; so that injured
persons can be brought immediately to the institution, and in a
much more comfortable and far more humane manner than here-
tofore, and by this means many lives will be saved. In cases of
necessity application for an ambulance should be made to the
nearest police station-house, from which word will be sent to the
hospital by telegraph.

In the building now occupied by the Historical Society was
formerly exhibited Benjamin West's picture of Christ healing the
Sick, presented by him in 1804, and which used to bring in a
revenue of from five hundred to one thousand dollars per annum.
A statue of William Penn, presented by his grandson, John
Penn, of Stoke Pogis, England, placed upon a pedestal of white
marble, occupies a conspicuous place on the lawn in front. It is
lead, bronzed. A chair, once the property of that great man, is
])reserved in the house. A scion from the Treaty Elm of 1682
had in 1832 attained considerable size.

Tlie Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane. — The thirty-sixth
annual report of Dr. Thomas S. Kirkbride, superintendent of the
Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, for the year 1876 shows
that at the date of the last report there were 419 ])atients in
the institution ; since which 260 have been admitted and 265
have been discharged or have died, leaving 414 at the close of
the year. The total number of patients in the hospital during
the year was 679. The highest number at any one time was
451 ; the lowest was 397 ; and the average number under treat-
ment during the whole period was 428 — 210 males and 218
females. Of the patients discharged during the year 1876,
there were —

Males. Females. Total.

Cured, 42 51 93

Much improved, 4 16 20

Improved, 39 13 52

Stationary, 40 10 50

Died, 29 21 50

Statistical tables are given showing the particulars of the cases
of 7427 patients received into the institution in the last thirty-

332 Annals of Phtladclplda.

six years. The followins; figures show the supposerl causes of
insanity in these ca'^es : Ill-hoaltii of various kinds, 1360; intem-
perance, 673 ; loss of property, 246 ; dread of poverty, 6 ; dis-
appointed affections, 90 ; intense study, 52 ; domestic difficulties,
liAQ; fright, 60; grief, loss of friends, etc., 345; intense appli-
cation to business, 61 ; religious excitement, 220; jwlitical excite-
ment, 14 ; metajihysical speculations, 1 ; Avant of exercise, 8 ;
engagement in duel, 1 ; disappointed expectations, 31 ; nostalgia,
8 ; stock speculations, 2 ; want of employment, 46 ; mortified
pride, 3 ; celibacy, 1 ; anxiety for wealth, 3 ; use of opium, 28 ;
use of tobacco, 17 ; lead-poisoning, 1 ; use of quack medicines, 4 ;
puerperal state, 287 ; lactation too long continued, 12 ; uncon-
trolled passion, 12 ; tight lacing, 1 ; injuries of the head, 99 ;
masturbation, 95 ; mental anxiety, 453 ; exposure to cold, 6 ;
exposure to direct rays of the sun, 72 ; exposure to intense heat,
2 ; exposure in army, 6 ; old age, 3 ; unascertained, 2952. The
following are the officers of the institution : Managers — William
Biddle, President; Benj. H. Shoemaker, Secretary; A. J. Derby-
shire, Samuel Mason, Samuel AVelsh, A\'istar Morris, Jacob P.
Jones, Alexander Biddle, Joseph B. Townsend, Joseph C. Turn-
penny, T. Wistar Brown, and Henry Haines. Treasurer — John
T. Lewis. Physician-in- Chief and Superintendent — Thomas S.
Kirkbride, M. D.

The new hospital of the Jefferson Medical College, on Sausom
street, above Tenth, was formally opened Sept. 17, 1877. The
new building cost two hundred thousand dollars, one half of
which was given by the State and the other half raised by private
subscriptions. Dr. E. B. Gardette, president of the board of
trustees, made the opening address, and Professor Pancoast fol-
lowed in a review of the history of the college — how it sprang
from a medical class established by the late Dr. George ^Ic-
Clellan, growing gradually until it now Mas second to none in
the country.

John Key, p. 461. — See Vol. I. p. 511, for life, of him.

Poor-houses. 333

POOR-HOUSES.

Poor-houses, p. 462.— See Col. Recs., iii. 589, Mar. 28, 1735,
prior to Avhich time " the alms-house built for the city of Phil-
adelphia " had been erected, in 1731-32. Also Minutes of Com-
mon Council, 1704-76, pp. 309, 330; Mar. 13, 1730, 620.

My father had an engraved view of the " House of Employ-
ment, Almshouse, Pennsylvania Hospital, and part of the City,"
which gives a back view of the almshouse and a view of the old
portion of the hospital, taken about this time, which represents
quite a country view. It formerly belonged to Du Simitiere,
and was photographed in 1857 for Mr. Dreer on a smaller scale.

In nifHi a Pest-house was erected on Fisher^ s Island, p. 461. —
Everybody fearing to have the pest-house in his neighborhood,
the committee on site fouud a difficulty in procuring the proper
ground. Finally, it was located on Fisher's Island, which con-
tained three hundred and forty-two acres, with some buildings
and negroes, the whole of which were bought for one thousand
seven hundred pounds by the committee, Joseph Harvey, Thomas
Tatnal, Joseph Trotter,' James JNIorris, and Oswald Peel, who
were to hold the estate in trust. This island was on the south-
west side of the Schuylkill, near its mouth. It originally con-
sisted of two islands, called Sayamensing and Schuylkill Islands.
On the west was Minquas Creek, and on the north a stream
formed by the junction of Church or Bow Creek and Kingsessing
Creek, which ran easterly into the Schuylkill. Fisher, who
owned it, gave the name, but it was changed to Province Island,
afterward changed to State Island. Penrose Ferry bridge crosses
from the eastern shore of the Schuylkill to the western shore of
Province Island. Some of the buildings were used as hospitals,
and the rest rented out. Six acres nearest the Delaware were re-
served on which to erect a new building, and the remainder were
to be leased. Fines were imposed to prevent any one harboring
a person ordered to Province Island. In January, 1750, one
thousand pounds were appropriated to build pest-houses.

The Friends' alms-houses were the first erected in this city,
as they built some small houses on John Martin's lot in 1713,
and the larger one on his front lot in 1729. But they were only
for the members of that Society. In 1712 the need of a poor-
house was laid before the City Council, and it was resolved to
hire a work-house " to employ poor p'sons."

In February, 1729, the Overseers of the Poor represented to the
House the lack of accommodation for the poor from the great
accession of foreigners and the increase of insolvent debtors,
wives, and children. It was therefore resolved that one thousand
pounds should be loaned to the mayor for purchasing ground and
building alms-houses. In 1739 the Assembly put this money

334 Annals of Philadelphia.

into the hands of trustees. A ple.asant meadow between Spruce
and Pine and Third and Fourth streets was bouglit in 1731 of
Aldran Allen, and buildings erected. The Philadeipiiia Hospital
started here with the alms-house in 1732, being the first one es-
tablished in this country. The building was a long low one, with
a piazza around it, with outbuildings, and stood near to Third
street, and was entered by a stile in that street and by a large
gate on Sjiruce street. This was abandoned in 1767, when the
new ones, built at Tenth and S})ruce streets, were ready.

Alms- or Bettering -house. — In 1765 the poor had increased so
largely that the overseers applied to the Assembly for greater
accommodations. There were in that year one hundred and fifty
out-pensioners, and the support of the poor cost three thousand
two hundred j)ounds, of which eight hundred and fifteen pounds
were contributed by the citizens. In February, 1766, the Assem-
bly authorized a number of citizens, under the title of " The Con-
tributors to the Relief and Employment of the Poor in the City,"
to hold lands and goods for the purpose, and the old alms-house
lot to be sold. Contributors raised a portion, two thousand pounds
Avere borrowed on mortgage on the property, and seven hundred
and fifty pounds were loaned by the city. Twelve managers were
appointed from the contributors. If the contributions for its sup-
port were not sufficient,, the balance was to be raised by tax.
Magistrates had power of commitment of disorderly, idle, or dis-
solute people for three months to the House of Employment.

The new buildings were generally known as the Bettering-
House, or Alms-house for the Relief and Employment of the
Poor, and were built on the lot from Tenth to Eleventh and
Spruce and Pine streets. The alms-house fronted on Tenth
street and the house of employment on Eleventh street, each
building being in the form of an L, one hundred and eighty by
forty feet, two stories high with attics, and a tower thirty feet
square and four stories high at the corner of the two portions.
In the centre between the two was a building three stories high
with attics, surmounted by a belfry or cupola. Running around
the lower story and opening upon the interior yard was an
arcade.

At its opening, in October, 1767, two hundred and eighty-four
poor were admitted to the alms-house, which was increased to
three hundred and sixty-eight by the end of the year from the
city and districts. At this time the old house was abandoned,
and in its turn the bettering-house gave way when the new alms-
houses at Blocklev, across the Schuvlkill, were erected, about
1835.

" The Present Alms-house out Spruce Street." — This was pulled
down in 1834-35, when the new alms-house was built over
Schuylkill. The ground was sold (see Peg. Penna., xiv. 320),
with the then vacant square, half of which belonged to the hos-

Libraries. 335

pital, and is now covered with fine houses. My father was sec-
retary of the Board of Guardians at the time, and as such signed
the deeds, and was present at the hiying of the corner-stone of
Blockley Ahns-house. (See Beg. Penna., v. 347-8 ; also, for esti-
mated cost, ix. 66.)

In the North American and United States Gazette for Novem-
ber 5, 1860, it is stated that a bell had lately been discovered at
the alms-house having on it "City Alms-house, 1758 — Thomas
Gregory;" and the article says: " This was the bell cast for the
first alms-house erected in this city," " which .... stood at
Front and Pine streets." This must be a mistake, as the
"original poor-house" was probably that on the lot referred to
by Watson (I. 462), through which Union street now runs, and
which was erected in 1731. (See il/m. Com. Council, as above.)

LIBRARIES.

Association Library, p. 462. — My father had a "Catalogue"
of the "Books belonging to the Association Library Company of
Philadelphia, printed by William Bradford, corner of Market
and Front, 1765." It is a 12mo pamphlet of 68 pages, inter-
leaved, and contains 20 pages of the " Articles" and a list of 107
members. The titles of books are alphabetically arranged. The
property was transferred to the Union Library Com])any, which
had been chartered by Governor Denny October 6, 1759, and the
company passed a law 30th of January, 1769, "for the admission
of the members of the Association Library." The Union Library
Company was a flourishing one, with many members, and owned
a building at the south-east corner of Third and Pear streets ; it
was afterward merged into the Philadelphia Library in 1769. He
had also a printed certificate dated February 17, 1769, signed
"John J. Laigton, secretary, admitting John Crozier of city,
etc.," " for and in consideration of his share and ])roperty in the
Books and Effects of the said Association liibrary, delivered to the
Directors of the said Union Library Companj', and also the sum
of 20s. paid in the hands of James Whiteall, the said Company's
Treasurer."

The Loganian Library Avas formerly kept in a small brick
building on Sixth street near Avhere George (now Sansom) street
enters. It stood with its gable to Sixth street ; the lot was not
then enclosed, but was the receptacle of paving-stones, and was a
dreary-looking place. This was removed after the union with
the City Library, the street cut through and filled up with houses.
A catalogue of this library was published in 1760. (See Amer-
ican Daily Advertiser for January 31, 1792.) By order of Gen-
eral Gates the books were ordered to be removed June 23, 1777,

336 Annals of Philadelphia.

that the building miglit be used as a place of deposit for the
amnmnition of the army. (See Penna. Archives, v. 399 ; Peg.
Penna., ii. 326.)

On Clarkson & Biddle's edition of Scull's map this library,
marked K, is laid down considerably nearer to Walnut street
than the present George (or Sansom) street. A fac-simile of
this map was published in 1858-59.

Centennial Libraries. — Pennsylvania, in 1776, had eight public
libraries: one at Chester, the Chester Library, founded in 1760,
Avith 1500 volumes; one at Lancaster, the Julian Library, found-
ed in 1770, with about 1000 volumes; and six in Philadelphia.
Of those in Philadelphia, that of Christ's Church was founded
in 1698, and contained 800 volumes; that of the four Monthly
Meetings of Friends was founded in 1742, and contained 111
volumes; the Loganian Library was founded in 1745, and con-
tained 4300 volumes. The Pennsylvania Hospital founded a
library in 1762, and the University in 1775. The former con-
tained 805 volumes, and the latter 2500.

The Friends* Library, now at 304 Arch street, belonging to the
" four Monthly Meetings of Friends," was commenced by a re-
quest of Thomas Chalkley in 1741, and increased by a bequest
of John Pemberton in 1794, and by other gifts. Its books are
excessively rare, some unique.

The Junto was the first literary association in the Province.
It was sometimes called the Leathern-A])ron Club. It was
formed in the fall of 1728 by Benjamin Franklin and others
for their mutual improvement. It was a debating society, where
essays and questions of morals, politics, and natural philosophy
were discussed by these inquiring minds. The members were
all men of no elevated origin. They met on Friday evenings —
at first at a tavern, but afterward at the house of JRobert Grace,
in Market street near Second, the only member who was wealthy.
The president directed the debates, and each member was required
to furnish an essay once in three months. They were required to
declare they respected each member, they loved mankind in gen-
eral, they believed in freedom of opinion, and that they loved
truth for truth's sake. It was difficult for new members to join,
which many were anxious to do after it had been in existence
some years. To accommodate these, other juntos were formed
under the names of "The Vine," "The Union," "The Band,"
etc. The original members were Benjamin Franklin and Hugh
Meredith, his first jiartner, Joseph Breintnall, Thomas Godfrey,
Nicholas Scull, William Parsons, William Maugridge, Stephen
Potts, George Webb, Robert Grace, and William Coleman. It
was in existence about forty years.

About 1730, Franklin proposed, since their books were often
referred to in their disquisitions, that they should all bring thera
together, so that they might be consulted, and that they might be

Libraries. 337

iiyed as a library by the members. It was agreed to, but the
number was not so great as had been expected, due care was not
taken of them, and in about a year each member took his books
home again. But Franklin thought a public library could be
supported. He drew up proposals, and had them put into form
by Charles Brockden the scrivener, and with the help of the
other members of the Junto procured fifty subscribers of forty
shillings each to begin with, and ten shillings a year for fifty
years, the term the com])any was to continue; after the number
increased to one hundred a charter was obtained. As Franklin
says, " This was the mother of all the North American subscrip-
tion libraries." The instrument of association was dated July 1,
1731. The first directors were Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Hop-
kinson, William Parsons, Philip Syng Jr., Thomas Godfrey, An-
thony Nicholas, Thomas Cadwalader, John Jones, Jr., Robert
Grace, and Isaac Penington. AVilliam Coleman was elected
treasurer, and Joseph Breintnall secretary. And thus originated

The Library Company of Philadelphia. — The books Mere first
kept in Robert Grace's house, from which those who in 1731
signed the articles of association were allowed to take them home
for perusal. Robert Grace removed from Barbadoes to Philadel-
phia about February, 1707-8; his son Robert was born April
25, 1709, and inherited considerable property, amongst which
was the residence on the north side of High street below Second,
at that time one of the most eligible portions of the city, and
nearly opposite the town-hall. After Franklin and Mr. Grace
became intimate friends the residence of the latter was selected
as the place of meeting of the famous Junto and the place of
deposit for the new library. The house was one of the oldest
brick houses in the city. An arched carriage-way opened in
the rear upon Pewter Platter (or Jones's) alley, and through this
the members entered, so as not to disturb the inmates of the house.
The collection remained here for ten years, or until 1740, and was
then removed, by permission of the Assembly, to the upper room
of the westernmost office of the State House, and went on grad-
ually increasing by 23urehaso and donation. The Proprietaries
contributed a lot on Chestnut, south side, between Eighth and
Ninth streets, marked on Scull & Heap's 1752 map, but it was
too far out of town to build upon, and also gave tliem a charter
in 1742.

From the earliest start James Logan took an active interest in
the library. Well known as a man of learning and the best
judge of books, his offer of assistance in suggesting such books
as it would be well for them to select was at once accepted. The
list was made out, given to Thomas Hopkinson, wlio was on a
visit to England, and he procured them through Peter Collinson
of London. This gentleman wrote a note containing his best
wishes, and sent a contribution of Newton's Philosophy and
Vol. III.— W 29

338 Annals of Philadelphia.

[Miller's Gardener\s Dictionary. The books, to the amount of
£45, were received in October, 1732. The first librarian was
Lewis Timothee, who attended on Wednesday afternoons and on
Saturday from ten to four. He received a small salary, remain-
ing in office till 1737, when Franklin succeeded him. Then
William Parsons, and afterward Francis Hopkinson, Z. Poulson,
George Campbell, J. J. Smith, and Lloyd P. Smith. Books
were allowed to be used in the library-room by "any civil
gentleman," only subscribers and James Logan being allowed to
take them home.

Various gifts were made to the library. John Penn presented
an air-pump, then a great curiosity, also a microscope and a ca-
mera-obscura ; Dr. Walter Sydserf of Antigua, £58 8.s. 8c/.;
Samuel Norris, £20. The shares had increased in value by
1741 to £6 10s. Od.

The utility and success of this library caused the establishing
of others, but as it was soon proved that one large collection was
more in the interest of the peo])le and of literature tlian several
small ones, they were all by 1771 merged into the Library Com-
pany of Philadelphia, and the separate names of the Amicable,
the Association, and the Union existed no longer. The united
libraries were removed in 1773 to the second floor of Carpenters'
Hall, where they remained until 1790, when the whole collection
was transferred to its present site in Fifth street.

The library was housed in its present quarters in 1790; the
first stone was laid August 31, 1789. A tablet was inserted in
the building with this inscription :

" Be it remembered,

in honor of the Philadelphia youth

(then chiefly artificers),

that in MDCCXXXI

they cheerfidly,

at the instance of Benjamin Franklin,

one of their number,

instituted the Philadelphia Library,

which, though small at first,

is become highly valuable and extensively useful,

and which the walls of this edifice

are now destined to contain and preserve ;

the first stone of wliose foundation

was here placed

the thirty-first day of August, 1789."

This inscription was prepared by Franklin, with the exception
of the reference to himself, which was inserted by the committee.
The statue of Franklin, which occupies a niche in the front of
the building, was given by William Bingham, who, in consul-
tation with the directors, learned that Dr. Franklin " Mould
approve of a gown for his dress and a Roman head." It would
be a curious inquiry to learn what successive distortions of some

Libraries. 339

simple remark of the doctor resulted in this queer recipe for a
statue. Mr. Bingham sent an order to Italy, accompanied with
a bust belonging to the Pennsylvania Hospital and a drawing of
the figure. The resultant statue, we are told, was regarded by
his contemporaries as showing a good likeness. It was said at
the time to have cost five hundred guineas.

The Philadelphia Library passed through the Revolution with-
out suffering any special detriment ; both of the opposing parties
had the benefit of it. In August, 1774, it was ordered " that the
librarian furnish the gentlemen who are to meet in congress in
this city with such books as they may have occasion for during
their sitting, taking a receipt from them ;" and the British army-
officers who occupied the city during the winter of 1777-78 were
in the habit of using the library, but invariably paid for the
privilege. At the close of the war the number of books was
about 5000.

The present building has a quiet, venerable appearance, and
its interior, though plain, is impressive. Besides the books, the
rooms contain portraits of Lord Bacon, Sir Isaac Newton, Wil-
liam Penn, John Penn, James Logan, Benjamin Franklin, Pev.
Samuel Preston, a benefactor (the portrait by West), William
Mackenzie, a donor of books, Joseph Fisher, a donor of money,
Thomas Parke, Zachariah Poulson, and others. There are
various relics, such as William Penn's writing-desk ; a colossal
bust of Minerva which formerly stood behind the Speaker's chair
in the first Congress under the Constitution ; a mask of Wash-
ington's face from the original and used for Houdon's statue ; a
reading-desk of John Dickinson, author of The Farmer's Letters ;
James Logan's library-table, and other curiosities. Many of the
books are now excessively rare and of great value ; there are
manuscripts in various languages; incunabula or specimens of
the work of the earliest printers; finely-illustrated volumes of
antiquities; many costly and large illustrated books; and the
collection of books on America is unusually full and valuable,
especially on the local history of the city and State, including
complete files of newspapers from 1719 to the present day, and
all the important maps. The arrangement of the books on the
shelves is by sizes, not by subjects, which presents a uniformity
of appearance; they are readily utilized by classified alphabetical
catalogues.

The Library Company now numbers 967 members, and has
over 100,000 volumes, including 11,000 rare and valuable books
of the Loganian Library, founded in 1750, placed in its keeping
in trust by James Logan, a descendant of the Founder, which
was formerly kept in a small double one-storied structure on the
west side of Sixth street above Walnut. This modest building
was the first in the United States devoted to the uses of a j)ublic
library. Mr. Lloyd Pearsall ^iiith holds the only liereditary

340 Annah of Philadelphia.

office in the United States — that of librarian of the Loganian
branch of the Library Company of Philadelphia. This is in
accordance with the will of Mr. Logan, who placed the position
in the right of his descendants, the present incumbent issuing
from the line of Hannah Smith, one of his daughters. The posi-
tion was occupied from 17G6 to 1776 by William Logan ; to
1792, by James Logan the second ; to 1806, by Zachariah Poul-
son; to 1829, by George Campbell; to 1851, by John Jay Smith;
and to the present time by the present incumbent.

The necessity for a fireproof building for this valuable library
has long been felt, and was made more evident by the fire at the
Mercantile Library in 1877. In 1864 the late Joseph Fisher
bequeathed 854,488.12 to the building fund, which now amounts
to §118,000. The directors some years since purchased various
properties in Locust street from Juniper to Broad, on -which a
building over eighty feet square is now being built.

In 1869 the late Dr. James Rush left his large estate, appraised
at over §1,000,000, for the purpose of erecting a fireproof build-
ing, to be called "The Ridgway Branch of the Philadelphia Li-
brary." His executor, Henry J. Williams, has built a noble
granite building on Broad street between Christian and Car])en-
tcr streets, in the Doric style of architecture, finished in 1877,
and capable of accommodating 400,000 volumes, and worthy of
the sixth city of the civilized world. The directors of the Li-
brary Company of Philadelphia accepted it in 1878; it will con-
tain, besides the Loganian Library and books seldom called for,
the library of its founder, which consists of quite a large collec-
tion of really valuable books. The newer volumes and those
most consulted will remain in the old building, which at some
future time will be sold and a new one erected on their own
ground, corner of Juniper and Locust streets. There is a me-
morial apartment occupied with the household furniture, the li-
brary, the paintings, and the personal effects of Dr. Rush. As
the somewhat eccentric testator directed that this room should
not be exposed to " vulgar curiosity," the public need not expect
to gain admittance within its sacred precincts or to gaze upon its
treasures. In other parts of the building may be seen much of
the furniture which belonged to the Rush household. In the
northern Aving are some twenty-five tables of a uniform size,
which Mrs. Rush in her lifetime used to place in a long row to
accommodate the famous banquets and dinner-parties given at
her mansion. The splendid tapestry furniture and over twenty
large mirrors which once embellished that mansion now decorate
the reading- and conversation-rooms of the new library buildinLj.
The plain marble slab which covers the remains of the doctor
and his wife in the crypt on the eastern side, and over which the
light is shed through a window of stained glass, bears the follow-
ing inscription :

Libraries. 341

"Sacred

to the memories of

Mrs. Ph<ebe Ann Rush,

daughter of

Jacob and Eebecca Ridgway,

and wife of

James Rush, M. D.,

born December 3d, A. D. 1799;

died October 23d, A. D. 1857;

and of

James Rush, M. D.,

third son of

Dr. Benjamin and Julia {nee Stockton) Rush,

born March 15th, A. D. 1786;

died May 26th, A. D. 1869."

Mr. Smith, the librarian, states that seventy thousand books,
including the Loganian collection entire and all books published
before the year 1856, will be removed to the Ridgway branch,
leaving about thirty thousand books at the establishment on
Fifth street.

On the Broad street front of the Rush building grounds for
many years there had been a lumber-yard ; the other portions
have been vacant. In the centre of the lot stoo<l an old-fash-
ioned, two-story double house, fast going to decay. It appeared
to have had a portico around it, and there were also indications
of numerous outhouses, etc. A very old buttonwood tree stood
near the house, with other trees, which appear to have been fruit
trees. An old lady well remembered after the war of 1812 see-
ing the First City Troop, then commanded by Captain Ross, and
Colonel Fotterall's regiment, assembled in front of this country-
seat at that time and mustered out of service, and, after the mus-
ter, marched into the enclosure, and the men, as she inferred, paid
off. In 1824, in the fall of the year (September), the four cream-
colored horses belonging to Carter, which conveyed General La
Fayette into the city from Frankford on his arrival here, were
driven up and down Carpenter street, which was then an open
road, before a fire of artillery, for the purpose of testing their
ability to stand a heavy fire as a salute to the general. Many
remember '' Cherry Grove " and ''La Grange," on South Broad
street, many years ago. Tiiis property was once known as La
Grange, and it was bought by Dr. Rush of the heirs of the Rev.
Dr. I. H. C. Helmuth of Zion Lutheran Church, and it is said
he died in that house.

Dr. James Rush lived at No. 358 Spruce street in 1849. He
was living in Chestnut street, west of Schuylkill Fourtli, in 1851.
Consequently, he must have removed to the new mansion in the
latter part of 1849 or the beginning of 1850. The alterations
of the house for the purposes of the Aldine Hotel were completed
in 1877.

The lawyers have begun proceedings to set aside the will of
Dr. James Rush, who left the principal part of his estate to

29*

342 Annals of Philadelphia.

found a free library. He married Phoebe Ann Ridgway, wnuse
father left her over a million dollars, which she in turn left to
her husband. The claimant is a Mr. Robert Manners, an Eng-
lishman, whose mother was a sister of Dr. James Rusli. If the
will is void because the trusts cannot be executed, then there are
other heirs who would take a ])ortion of the estate. The late
Dr. Rush was a son of Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Revolutionary
memory and for some time the surgeon-general of Washington's
army. He left surviving him several children besides James.
Richard, at one time our minister to England, was the eldest.
Samuel, another son, was at one time recorder of Philadelphia
when that office corresponded to that of recorder of London, and
the recorder presided over the principal criminal court of Phila-
delphia. He was a resident of Westchester for a number of
years during the latter part of his life. Mrs. Manners, the
mother of the claimant in the case just commenced, was the
eldest daughter. All these children of Dr. Benjamin Rush left
children surviving them who would inherit a ])ortion of the es-
tate if the will is declared void. None of the other heirs have
joined with Mr. Manners in his effort to set aside the will, but,
it is understood, are anxious to see its provisions carried out. It
was drawn by the executor, Henry J. Williams, Esq., one of the
soundest lawyers at the Philadelphia bar, though he retired from
active practice twenty years ago.

lite 3Iercantile Library Company was incorporated in 1820
for the benefit of young men in mercantile business. From 1821
to 1845 it had no settled habitation or abiding-place. It was
first opened at 100 Chestnut street, adjoining the Bank of the
United S^^ates, in the second story ; it afterward removed to the
second story of the American Sunday-School Union building,
Chestnut above Sixth, and finished the first building of its own
in 1845. In July of the year last named ])ossession was taken
of the building on Fifth street, corner of Library. Then the
library building had a capacity for 50,000 volumes, though the
number actually possessed was less than 10,000. The first prac-
tical step toward finding new quarters was the creation of a build-
ing fund, and that step was taken on the 31st of December, 1863.
In 1867 this fund had accumulated to a sufficient extent to justify
tlie board in seeking out a property in such a location and of such
dimensions as to provide for the wants both of that time and of
the future. The new building on Tenth street, above Chestnut,
which had just been completed for the Franklin Market Com-
pany by John Rice, who was one of the leading spirits in that
company, but which organization subsequently fell through, was
purchased in 1868 for the sum of §126,000. Alterations were
made to it, costing an additional ^§100,000. Every effort was
made by the board, in all the arrangements connected with the

Libraries. 343

building, to please and gratify a judicious taste and to promote
the comfort and accommodation of those entitled to partake oi
the intellectual feasts that were there presented. In fact, the
building is one of the most complete of its kind in the coun-
try. According to the annual report of the board for 1876, the
library numbered 130,814 volumes, with 9327 unbound pam-
phlets. The number of persons entitled to the use of the li-
brary on January 1, 1877, was 9207. In 1877, owing to the
burning of Fox's Theatre, the western end of the building was
much burnt and many valuable books were destroyed by
water.

The Athenceum owes its origin to that taste for literary pur-
suits which has characterized this city. In the year 1813 half a
dozen young men established rooms for reading and resort. By
Feb. 9th, 1814, when the articles of association were adopted,
the number of members amounted to two hundred ; a board of
directors was then chosen, and the institution was opened on the
7th of March in a room over the bookstore of Matthew Carey,
at the south-east corner of Fourth and Chestnut streets. Mr.
Carey afterward bequeathed to the Athenaeum a large collection
of bound pamphlets ou the history and statistics of the country.
The first officers of the Athenaeum were men eminent in their
day: president, Chief-Justice William Tilghman ; vice-president,
Dr. James Mease ; treasurer, Koberts Vaux ; managers, Samuel
Ewing, Nicholas Biddle, John Cole Lowber, George Vaux, Wil-
liam Lehman, Peter Stephen Duponceau. In 1818 the insti-
tution was removed to rooms in the Philosophical Hall, on Fifth
street below Chestnut, where they remained for almost thirty
years, and then removed to their own new building, in Sixth
street, cornei; of Adelphi, below Walnut. The edifice was de-
signed by John Notman, and constructed mainly with funds
left by William Lehman ; he left $10,000, which by good
management of Quintin Campbell, the treasurer, amounted to
nearly $25,000 at the time they opened the new structure in
1847.

The Apprentices' Library,-founded in 1820, for the free use of
books by apprentices and girls, is located in the old building
erected by the " Free Quakers," at Fifth and Arch streets. It
was first opened in Carpenters' Hall, then in Jayne (formerly
Carpenter) street below Seventh, and then in the old Mint, in
Seventh street below Arch. The present building is leased to
the Apprentices' Library by the descendants of the Free Quakers
for a small sum, and the trustees are doing a great deal of good
with the free library for boys and for girls and women, and the
reading-room, moulding the characters of future worthy citizens.
(For account of the Free or Fighting Quakers see under the head
of " Friends," p. 435, and Vol. I. 499.) Upon the gable-end on
Arch street is a stone tablet with this inscription :

344 Annals of Philadelphia.

"By general Subscription,

For the Free Quakers.

Erected A. D. 1783,

of the Empire, 8."

The last line means that when the building was erected it was
the eighth j'ear of tiie empire composed of independent American
Stiites mider the Confederation, An empire is a joint govern-
ment, comprising several nations. The word "empire" was a
common one applied to the American States after the Revolution,
and before the Federal Constitution made the States a nation.

TAVERNS.

By the middle of the eighteenth century the customs of drink-
ing had taken fast hold of society ; rum and beer, Jamaica spirits
and Madeira wine, were common in the best houses, and some
kind of liquor always stood ready on the sideboard, and was at
once handed to every guest. Drinking had become so common
as to excite remark and the fears of the judicious. In the Penn-
sylvania Gazette of 1733 we find the following: "It is now be-
come the practice of some otherwise discreet women, instead of a
draught of beer and toast, or a chunk of bread and cheese, or a
wooden noggin of good porridge and bread, as our good old
English custom is, or milk and bread boiled, or tea and bread
and butter, or milk, or milk and coffee, etc., they must have their
two or three drams iu the morning, by which their appetite for
wholesome food is taken away."

It was customary at public vendues, funerals, festivities, etc.
to provide plenty of liquors. At vendues the drinkers would be
excited and bid " fast and furious," thus often paying too much
and buying what they should not. In 1729, on the first three
nights of October, which was election-time, the Weekly Mercury
said there were used 4500 gallons of beer in the city. The
Friends were the first to endeavor to stop the practice, and in
1726 the Yearly Meeting adopted a minute against liquor at
vendues ; and an additional complaint was made against the same
from Chester county in 1743. In 1736 the Yearly Meeting
issued caution against the too frequent use of drams, and giving
children a taste of them. This advice was repeated by the Meet-
ing in 1738, '49, and '50.

P. 463. — 2d mo. 18, 1704, the governor, attended by several
members of Council, met the representatives of the Lower Coun-
ties, " where they were met at the BuWs Head in Philadelphia"
{Col. Recs., ii. 134.) This was probably iu Strawberry street, or
the one west of it.

Taverns.

345

Jan. 10, 1748-49, auction to be held "at the sign of the
Queen of Hungary, in Front street."

The following signs and names of landlords are from a list
printed in Penna. Archives, iii. 559, as officers^ quarters of Gen.
Forbes's Seventeenth Regiment, Nov. 15, 1758 :

Samuel Soumina, Market street;
John Sutler, Cherry alley. White

Oak ;
Mrs. Howell, Second street;
Mr. Bartholomew, Arch street,

Henry, King of Mohawks;
Mr. Seymains, Market street ;
Mrs. Giles, Arch street ;
Mr. Kil waggoner. Front street,

Waggon ;
Wm. Whitehead, Second street,

opposite Christ Church,King's

Arms ;
Mrs. Grant, Walnut street ;
Mary Biddle, Market street,

Fountain ;
John Pearson, Second street,

Barracks.

John Groves, Front street ;
Mrs. Jones, Second and Water

streets. Three Crowns;
Paul Isaac Volto, Second street;
Leonard Melcher, do.

John Biddle, Market street east

of Third, Indian King, for-
merly by Owen Owen, and in

1785 by Mrs. Sidney Paul;
Mr. Lukans, south-west corner

of Second and Arch streets,

St. George;
Capt. Brown, Second street ;
Mrs. Bridges, Front street ;
Mrs. Parrott's, Water street ;
Mr. Prim's, Chestnut street ;
John Nicholson, Market street,

Indian Queen ;
Mrs. Childs, Arch street ;

The following were tavern-signs in Philadelphia in 1785:
Battle of the Kegs, Water street, between Race and Vine ;
Bird-in-Hand, corner of Penn and Pine streets ;
Faithful Irishman (Isabella Barry), in Strawberry alley;
Golden Swan (Paul Britton, afterward by Cameron), Third street

above Arch ;
Mason and York Arms, Water street, between Chestnut and

Market ;
Sailor's Return, corner of Walnut and Water streets;
Ewe and Lamb, Front street, between Vine and Callowhill;
Jolly Sailor, Eighth street, between Chestnut and Walnut;
White Horse, Market street, between Sixth and Seventh ;
General Washington (Jacob Mytinger), Vine street above Second;
Conestoga Wagon (Samuel Nicholas), Market street above Fourth;
King of Poland (Philip Oellers), Vine street, between Fifth and

Sixth ;
Lamb (Francis Oskullion), Second street below Lombard ;
Seven Stars, Market street, between Front and Second ;
Dragon and Horse, Walnut street, between Front and Second ;
Green Tree, Water street, between Race and Vine ;
Hen and Chickens (Valentine Pegan), Spruce street, between

Front and Second ;
Louis the Sixteenth, South street, between Fifth and Sixth ;

346 Annals of Philadelphia.

Ship, AVater street, near Chestnut;

KouH Khan, Chestnut and Front streets ;

Horse and Groom, Sixtli street, lietween Market and Chestnut ;

Bunch of" Gi'apes (John Ilazer), Third street above Market;

General Wayne (Tobias Kudolph), Penn and Pine streets;

Harp and Crook, Water street, near Spruce;

liising Sun (Sarah Stimble), Market street above Front;

Kouli Khan (Robert Stephens), Chestnut street below Second ;

Horse and Groom, Strawberry alley;

Jolly Tar (John StatJbrd), Water street below Race ;

White Horse, Second street, between Vine and Callowhill ;

Moon and Stars (Mary Switzer), Second street above Vine ;

Eagle, Fifth street above Race ;

Organ (William Shedecker), Spruce street above Fourth;

White Horse, Strawberry alley ;

Three Jolly Irishmen, Water and Race streets;

Cross Keys, Race street, between Sixth and Seventh ;

Darby Ram, Church alley;

United States, Water street, near Spruce ;

Rising Sun (Samuel Titmus) ;

Wilkes and Liberty, Market street wharf;

Boar's Head, Elbow lane ;

Cumberland, Front street, near Pool's Bridge ;

Turk's Head (Adam Weaver), Chestnut street above Second ;

Fox and Leo])ard, Pine and Penn streets ;

Cross Keys, Water street, between Market and Arch ;

Buck (George Yoe), Callowhill street, between Second and Third;

The Struggler (Edmund Conner), Water street, between Spruce

and Pine ;
Cork Arms (John Conner), Water street below Walnut ;
Black Horse (Isaac Connelly), Market street, between Fourth

aud Fifth ;
Plough (Matthew Conrad), Third street above Market;
Cordwainers' Arms (James Culbertson), Walnut street below

Second ;
Harp and Crown (William Carson), Third street above Market;
Dusty Miller and White Horse (John Clemens), Chestnut street

above Second ;
Strap and Block (Cook Lawrence), Arch street wharf;
Blue Ball, Elbow lane, near Third street ;
Boatswain Hall, Front street, between Walnut and Spruce;
Dr. Franklin (John Fiegele), corner of Race and Second streets;
The Rose (Mrs. Fourrage), Race street, between Fifth and Sixth;
Sportsman (Charles Gordon), Water street, between Walnut and

Sjiruce ;
Red Lion (David Gordon), Race street, between Fourth and Fifth;
Leopard, Spruce street, between Third and Fourth ;
General Washington, Front street, between Arch and Race ;

Taverns. 347

King of Prussia (Michael Hay), Race street, between Third and

Fourth ;
Butchers' Arms (Edward Handle), New Market street above

Callowhill ;
The Salute (William Hood), Third street, between Chestnut and

Walnut;
American Soldier, South alley, between Fifth and Sixth streets ;
Red Cow, Water street, between Race and Vine ;
Blue Ball, corner of Sixth and Market streets ;
Cross Keys (Israel Israel), Third and Chestnut streets ;
Green Tree (Andrew Kesler), Third street, between Arch and

Race ;
Plough, Market street, between Seventh and Eighth ;
Seven Stars (Charles Kugler), Fourth and Race streets ;
Buck (Michael Kraft), Second street, between Race and Vine ;
Golden Fleece (Luke Ludwig), corner of Fourth and Lombard

streets ;
Harp and Crown, Front street, between Market and Chestnut;
Fountain (James McCutcheon), Second and Lombard streets;
Seven Stars (John McKinley), Fourth and Chestnut streets;
Jolly Sailor (Robert Moffett), Second and Lombard streets;
Mermaid, Second street, between Pine and Lombard ;
Rose, South street, between Fourth and Fifth ;
Noah's Ark (Ingellert Minzer), Second street, between Vine and

Callowhill ;
The Oley Wagon, Third street, between Vine and Callowhill ;
The Black Horse (John Fritz), Second street, corner of Black-
horse alley;
The Samson and Lion (John Eisenbrey), south-west corner of

Crown and Vine streets.

The three latter houses were the only ones remaining and that
retained their signs in 1859 as they had them in 1785. The last
one, the Samson and Lion, at the south-west corner of Crown and
Vine streets, was an old yellow frame house, and has always been
used as a tavern. It had a very clean and comfortable appear-
ance. It had a sign of Samson slaying the lion, which has often
been retouched since placed there, and bore upon its top the date
1813. In 1785 it was kept by John Eisenbrey, who in 1791 was
at 110 South Fifth street. In 1800 John Smith kept it, and
about the time of ''the last war" the keeper of the tavern Avas
Speck, to whom his widow succeeded, and kept the house for
many years. This tavern is one of the oldest in Philadelphia,
and is one of the very few inns that has not changed its sign to
suit modern fashions.

The following also were in existence between 1700 and 1750:
Vintners' Arms, Front street;

Plume of Feathei-s (George Campion), Front street ;
Prince Eugene (Matthew Garrigues), Front street ;

348 Annals of Philadelphia.

Bear (Nicholas Scull), Second, between Kace and Vine ;

Centre House, Centre or Penn Square;

Lion (George Shoemaker), Elbow lane ;

Dolphin, Chestnut street;

Buck (Anthony Nice), Germantown ;

Mariner's Compass and Four Horseshoes (Elizabeth Walton),

Strawberry alley;
Two Sloops, Water street ;

Boatswain and Caul (Philip Herbert), at the Drawbridge ;
White Hart (Richard Warder), Market street ;
Three Mariners, Front street;
Half Moon (Charles Stow), Market street ;
Red Lion (Sampson Davis), Second street ;
London Coffee House, near Carpenters' wharf, between Chestnut

and Walnut streets ;
Rose, Arch street ;
James's Coffee House, Front street ;

London 'Prentice, ;

A Jolly Trooper, Arch street;
Fleece, Front street ;

Roberts' Coffee House, ;

Bear, Frankford ;

The Blue Bell, Frankford;

Free Mason (Thomas Jarvis), Front street ;

Rising Sun (A. Nice), Germantown road;

Swan, Chestnut Hill ;

Black Bull (John Chappel), Market street;

Hen and Chickens (Widow Brientnall), Chestnut street;

Plough and Harrow (John Jones), Third street ;

Three Tuns (Christopher Robbins), Whitemarsh ;

West India Coffee House (Margaret Ingram), ;

Lion (JNIichael Israel ), Wicaco ;

Anchor and Hope, Blackhorse alley ;

Swan (John Ord), Sj)ruce street, west of Front •

Brig and Snow, Strawberry alley ;

Queen of Hungary, Front street ;

Bear and Highlandman (1748), Front street;

Star and Garter (Robert Mills), .

P. 464. — The Crooked Billet was on King or Water street,
north of Chestnut street, kej)t early in 1700 by George Farring-
ton, and afterward by Barbara Lewis; the sign was a crooked bil-
let of wood. Near here was what was known as the Crooked Bil-
let steps, leading down the bank to the wharf. Just here was tiie
cave described on p. 48, Vol. I. Prior to the opening of Del-
aware avenue there was a dock or inlet here, which prevented
drays from proceeding farther, but they passed through an alley
at the head of it into Water street. A block of red frame build-
ings stood on the wharf north of the dock, so close as to furnish

Taverifis. 349

but a footway between them, which led around the front of the
building on a narrow wliarf. This block was a block maker's
shop, kept by Richard F. Sparks ; to the north of these the stores
ranged with those on the south side of it; the first occupied by
William Bell, called "Greasy Billy," from his general want of a
cleanly appearance ; he was a rich man.

Mrs. Jones, p. 404. — The whole row, from the Bank of Penn-
sylvania (now the Apj^raisers' store), to Walnut street, was torn
down, including the old Coffee House, in 1854-55, and the site
occupied with a fine bro\vnstone building, erected by Mr. Lennig.
Mrs. Jones kept the Three Crowns in November, 1758.

The "smaller rooms" of the City Tavern, afterward the Coffee
House, on the south, were occupied by R. E. Hobart and Jacob
Shoemaker, insurance brokers, where a great deal of private un-
derwriting was done, there being in those days (1800 to 1806) but
two or three public insurance offices — the North America, the
State of Pennsylvania, and perhaps the Philadelphia. There is
now no private underwriting done, the decline in our commercial
shipping affording no more than the insurance companies can do.
The largest underwriters were James Paul, L. Clapier, Daniel
Mann, etc. There was a bar in the large room then. James
Kitchen, a smart actor, a consequential, small man, then kept the
Coffee House, where at one o'clock all the principal merchants
met on " 'Change " and did much of their outdoor business.

In the year 1768, Mrs. Graydon, p. 465. — She also kept in the
Slate-Poof Plouse. (See p. 165; also Graydon's 3Iemoirs.)

Tlie Indian Queen, p. 466. — This building, after several changes,
especially filling up an archway through which carriages formerly
entered to the vard and stables in the rear, was pulled down in
May, 1851. (See p. 470, Vol. I.)

It appears that in November, 1758, there was a sign of The
Indian Queen in Market street, kept by John Nicholson, as well
as an Indian King, also in Market street below Third, kept by
John Biddle, at the corner of the alley named after him.

The George Inn (p. 466), south-west corner of Arch and Second,
kept early in 1700 by Nicholas Scull, and in 1740 by John Steel.
This building in my father's time was the great starting-])oint of
the New York and other stages. It was kept by John Inskeep,
who was afterward a china-merchant, mayor of the city, and pres-
ident of the Insurance Company of North America — a very respect-
able man. Saml. F. Bradford married his daughter, and afterward
took into partnership his brother-in-law, John Inskeep. They
kept then a large bookselling establishment in Third below High,
west side, and published Pees's Cyelopcedia, It was while Avitli
them that Charles Leslie, the great painter, made his admirable
sketch of Cooke, the celebrated actor, which was the start of Leslie,
he being encouraged and assisted by several gentlemen to go to
Europe to develop his peculiar talent, and where he became an P. A.

350 Annals of Philadelphia.

The George Inn was afterward kept by John (?) Vanarsdalen.
The building was still standing in ]8o6, and used as a grocery,
though the neighborhood was much changed. The old stables on
Arch street, afterward an iron-store, are now replaced with brick
buildings. Old Dr. Redman then lived in Second sfreet, next
north of the Ba})tist church. (See Jie(/. Penna., ii. 175, etc., and
iii. 11, etc.)

The Federal Convention, p. 468. — About 1796 there was a
tavern kept by one Hanna on South street above Fourth, oppo-
site the old theatre, which had for its signboard a picture repre-
senting the Constitutional Convention of 1787, with portraits of
the members of that body. This sign was j)ainted by Matthew
Pratt, father of the late Henry Pratt. Underneath the picture
were these words : " These thirty-eight great men have signed
the powerful deed " (or together have agreed), "that better times
to us will very soon succeed." It is said that this sign, which
was taken down in 1814, is yet somewhere in existence. (See
Vol. I. 468.)

In 1812-13 there stood on the present site of the Arch Street
Theatre an old-fashioned tavern, kept by Mr. Brown, with a
large swinging sign on which was represented a hunting-scene —
that is, hounds chasing a deer, with huntsmen on horseback;
beneath the picture was painted —

" Our Honnds are good, and Horses too,
The Buck is near run down ;
Call off' the hounds and let him blow,
While we regale with Brown."

"The Cat," or "Spotted Cat," at the south-east corner of
Eighth and Zane (now Filbert street), has for many years been a
noted place. It was built in 1740, and must have been originally
lower than the street. The high rent it brings is jirobably the
reason it has not long since given way to the march of improve-
ment on Eighth street. An action was brought in 1877 against
the lessee of the old tavern to recover three thousand five hundred
dollars, annual rent. The occupant contests the claim on the
ground that the building, which is one hundred and thirty-seven
years old, is untenantable and insecure, and, in short, so <langer-
ous to the occupants that the tenant has been compelled to close
up and abandon the occupation of a number of the rooms. The
sign up at present is that of The Golden Lion. It has very
lately been much altered and cut up into rooms, and a store-
window opened on Eighth street.

The following is a list of old tavern signs within the last forty
years :
The Hornet and Peacock, an old frame building next to St.

George's Church, Fourth street;
BuU's Head, Third street, above Callowhill, east side;

Taverns. 351

Black Bear, Front street, west side, near Callowlull ;

Commodore Porter, Callowhill street, below Second, east* side;

First Ward Northern Liberties Hotel, adjoining ;

Sign of the Lamb, Second street, above Callowhill, now occupied
by the Farmers' Market ;

Bull's Head, corner of Sixth and Willow, now Montgomery
Hotel ;

Robinson Crusoe (Isaac Painter), south-east corner of Garden
and Callowhill streets ;

The Volunteer, corner of Willow street and Ridge road ;

Franklin, Third street, above Buttonwood, east side ;

Wagon and Horses, now Military Hall, Third street, near
Green ;

Butchers' Coat-of-Arms, Old Drove-yard, Vine street, near
Eighth, now a brewery;

Red Lion (Schrack), north-east corner of Fourth and Wood
streets ;

Cross Keys, north-east corner of Fourth and Poplar streets ;

Plough, New street, south side, above Tliird ;

Lemon Tree (Major Graves), famous for Fourth-of-July dinners,
ox-roasting by the Democrats after elections, and head-quarters
of the victuallers and their stock of cattle, sheep, swine, etc.,
about 1823, on the west side of Sixth street, from Noble to
Buttonwood, and westward nearly to Seventh street ;

Cock and Lion (Grundlock, and Mr. Kerlin, then by his widow),
south-west corner of Second and Coates streets, afterward on
Fourth street above George;

Two Bulls, Germantown road, opposite the Globe Mills ;

Hog (John Wellbank), corner of Buttonwood and Fifth streets,
afterward at north-west corner of Callowhill and Rugan
streets ;

General Jackson, Brown and Oak streets. Northern Liberties ;

Simon Snyder (George Zeigler, 1827), Callowhill street and York
avenue;

Hay-Market Hotel (John Weaver), north-west corner of Fifth
and Green streets;

Thomas Jefferson, south-east corner of Fifth and Poplar streets ;

Green Tree, corner of Girard avenue and Marlborough street,
Kensington ;

Robin Hood, Poplar street, below Fourth, famous as a dance-
house and for bear- and bull-fights on holidays;

Fox-Chase (now occupied by Alderman Cahill), Third street, be-
low Buttonwood ;

Northern Liberties Town-House (Mintzer), Second street, above
Coates, east side ;

Cross Keys, south-west corner of Race and Ninth streets ;

Wounded Tar, north side of Vine street, above Eighth ;

Tiger Hunt, north side of Vine street, below Fourth ;

352 Annals of Philadeljjhia.

Lion, west side of Second street, below Noble;

Girard Bank and Surroundings (^NIcGowan's), west side of Dock

street, below Third ;
Kapoleon crossing the Alps, west side of Ninth street, below

Coates ;
William Tell, south side of Callowhill street, below Second.

The sign of the " State Fencibles, Second Comjiany," was in
front of a two-story yellow frame public-house still standing on
Tiiird street below Coates, east side. This house was kept by
John Christine, a lieutenant in the Second Fencibles, and a din-
ner was given by the company at that house on the 4th of July,
about the year 1826 or 1827, at which time this sign was in front
of the house. In November, 1831, it was standing as a sign at
a humble public-house in the town of Port Carbon, Schuylkill
county, but it disappeared from there shortly after that date. It
was painted by John Woodside in his best style. It had also an
iron sign, by which it was known. It was kept in 1812 by Mr.
Belsterling.

It must be noticed that there are not near so many pictorial
tavern signs as there were formerly. The keepers of such places
have lost all taste for originality, or else the art of ornamental
sign-painting has deteriorated. The following picture-signs hung
out from 1824 to 1836 :
The Enniskillen Castle (Martin Rees, afterward Charles Bard

Rees), Fifth street, below Walnut, east side ;
The Volunteer of Camp Dupont, south-west corner of Tenth and

Arch streets;
General Jackson's Head (Chalkley Baker), Race street, between

Seventh and Eighth ;
The Goose and Gridiron, a most elegantly-painted restaurant sign

(Brown), Chestnut street, below Sixth ;
General Washington, a copy of Stuart's famous picture (Mrs.

Yohe), Fourth street, above jNIarket ;
Noah's Ark, corner Front and Noble streets ;
The White Bear (Myers' Tavern), corner Fifth and Race streets;
The Red Lion, Market street, M'cst of Sixth ;
The White Horse, corner of Fifth and the present Commerce streets ;

A portrait of Cooke, the actor, in the character of Rolla carry-
ing Elvira's child, at the south-west corner of Front and Catharine
streets; a sign of a Bird in the Hand and Two in the Bush, at
the south-west corner of Market street and Penn Square; a very
handsome likeness of Shakespeare, on the south side of Market
street, a square or two west of Penn Square (there was a fine
row of buttonwood trees in front of the tavern) ; a very hand-
some sign of the Indian Queen, painted by Woodside, at the
hotel of that name, on the east side of Fourth street above
Chestnut.

There was many years ago a tavern in Front street, above

Taverns. 353

Vine, with one front on "Water street and the other on Front
street. The Front street side had a sign with the Constitution
and Java on, and the Water street side had a sign with a Dur-
ham boat on it. This place was a kind of head-quarters for the
men who ran these boats (which at that time were quite plenty) up
the Delaware. They were sharp at each end, and were steered by
a long oar. They used a small pointed sail, and some of them
were very fast sailers. On Front street above Callowhill, west
side, there was an iron sign (open work) with a dove in the cen-
tre. Then there was a sign on Callowhill street below Water,
with a ferry-boat or horse-boat, with a bird-box on top, where
the swallows made their nests. This tavern was kept by Thomas
and Jeremiah Hand. Then there was a sign, Death of Warren,
on Buttonwood street above Fifth. In Water street, between
Race and Vine, was one with Bird in Hand worth Two in the
Bush, representing a painting of a man with a bird in his hand
and two others in the bush. There was also one at Eighth and
Buttonwood streets of General Harrison.

The Penn Township Blue sign M^as in Callowhill street, below
the first milestone, which stood at Ridge road and Callowhill
street, near where John Wellbank now keeps. Heck's Tavern
was on the east side of Decatur street, and was a very old-fash-
ioned house, with a porch and seats on each side. When Heck
opened his place there were seven taverns in that street: Schock's,
Mrs. Shuster's (afterward Harboard's), McDonald's, White's,
Heck's, and one kept by an Irishman (afterward Boyd's). The
Wasp and Frolic was at the north-west corner of Garden and
Vine streets. One evening in 1829 a party of butchers and
drovers were at this place, a short time after the robbery of the
Kimberton mail, when one of the latter said that he was going
to leave the city that night. One of the butchers told him that
he had better look out for the mail-robbers. The drover, a big,
burly fellow, swore that no three men could tie his hands behind
him. That night the Beading mail left the city. When it ar-
rived at Turner's lane the horses were suddenly swung around
that lane by one of the robbers ; another pointed his pistol at the
head of the driver and ordered him to remain quiet ; the third
robber opened the door of the stage, and said, "Gentlemen, I
wish you to get out, one at a time." The boasting drover was
the first one called upon to get out, which he did without utter-
ing a word. His hands were tied and his pockets were emptied.
The others were served in the same manner. One of the ])assen-
gers objected to having his tobacco taken from him. This cre-
ated some merriment, in which the robbers joined. Another pas-
senger, taking advantage of the merriment, requested the return
of his watch, which he said was a family kee})sake. It was
handed to him. That drover was ever after known under the
sobriquet of the "Beading Mail."

Vol. III.— X 30 *

354 Annals of Philadelphia.

The Three Tuns (three wooden barrels strung crossways on an
iron rod) (Sarah Potts), was in Vine street, below Eighth,
where the church now stands;

Eclipse and Sir Henry, Broad street and Centre Square, where
the church now stands ;

Constitution and Guerriere (William Hurlick, afterward famous
as a militia-fine collector) ;

The Bull's Head, said to have been painted by Benjamin West
(John Evans), Strawberry street;

Commodore Decatur (George Schock), Decatur street, near Car-
penter (Jayne) street. In 1826 Mr. Schrock said that when
he opened his tavern the place was a mere lane, unpaved,
leading to the Tilghman mansion, and that the street received
its name from his sign long before the City Councils named it.

The Black Bear was in Market street, above Tenth, north side,
afterward in Tenth street, above Market;

The Bull's Head, Market street, above Tenth ;

The White Horse, Market street, above Thirteenth, in front of
the Tivoli Circus. In this circas the notorious George Wash-
ington Dixon, the buffo-singer, made his first appearance in
Philadelphia, about the year 1828 ;

The Sorrel Horse was in Market street, below Thirteenth ;

The Golden Horse, Market street, below Twelfth ;

General Montgomery, Sixth street, near South ;

General Brown (Simpson), north-east corner of Fifth and But-
tonwood streets;

General Washington, Callowhill street, below Thirteenth ;

The Sorrel Horse, Second street, nearly opposite Christ Church;

Head of Franklin (Mrs. Bradshaw), Chestnut street, below
Sixth ;

General Simon Bolivar (Carels's), north-west corner of Seventh
and Zane streets, afterward Chestnut street, below the Ar-
cade ;

The Seven Presidents, Coates street, above Ninth ;

The Volunteer (Vanstavoren), Race street, opposite Franklin
Square ;

Robert Fulton, north-east corner of Front and Chestnut streets ;

Coat-of-Arms of the States of the Union, Callowhill street, be-
low Second ;

Topgallant (Hammitt), Cherry street and Bryant's court;

Bird Pecking at Grapes, south-west corner of Third and Chest-
nut streets, in the basement;

Patrick Lyon, Sixth street, below Race ;

Sheaf, Second street, between Race and Vine;

Barley Sheaf, Fourth street, below Vine ;

General ^\"asliington (Von Buskirk), Market street, south side,
between Seventh and Eighth streets.
Before the present market-houses on Shippen street, between

Taverns. 355

Third and Fifth, were built, there were houses on the south side
of that street which were demolished to make room for the im-
provement. Upon one of these, kept as a tavern, between Third
and Fourth streets, there was a tin sign on the window, upon
one end of which was painted a sailor, upon the other end a
woman, and in the middle of the sign was the following
inscription :

" The sea-worn sailor here will find
The porter good, the treatment kind."

About the year 1810 there was a sign upon a frame house which
stood back from the street at the south-west corner of what was
then called Harmony court and Fourth street, which read as
follows : " P. Kyan's Milk House. Crier and Bell-ringer. Lost
children, pocket-books, and other valuables recovered by giving
notice here." A sign on a tippling-house near the Navy Yard,
on which were paintings of a tree, a bird, a ship, and a mug of
beer, with the following inscription :

" This is the tree that never grew ;
This is the bird that never tlew ;
This is tlie siiip that never sailed ;
This is the mug that never failed."

Also, in the same vicinity another representing a rooster in the
act of crowing, with the following motto : " The old cock
revived." Among the many curious tavern-signs may be men-
tioned a large log of wood in the shape of a bottle swung on a
hickory pole (erected in the fall of the year in which David R.
Porter was elected governor of this State). Said " Porter bottle"
was at the tavern then kept by William Newton, at the south-
west corner of Eighth and Buttonwood streets, diagonally oppo-
site the old school-house, where at that time the elections were
held, and where the citizens of the entire district of Spring
Garden voted. Some ten or twelve years ago there was an
Irishman by the name of Patrick Keegan, who kept a tavern in
Frankford, having for its sign a straw bee-hive, with bees flying
around it, and underneath the following lines :

" ' Here in this hive we're all alive,'
Good liquor makes us funny-
If you are dry, step in and try
The flavor of our honey."

On the west side of Thirteenth street, at the south-east corner of
the second alley below Walnut street, there stood, some years ago,
a frame tavern, painted blue. On the sign over the door was the
following notice :

" I, William McDermott, lives here;
I sells good porter, ale and beer;
I've made my sign a little wider,
To let you know I sell good cider."

356 Annals of Philadelphia.

In front of a tavern on the west side of Third street above Ship-
pen there was a sign which had on it " X 10 U 8." This tavern
was known as the Extenuate House. About fifty years ago a
man by the name of McClain kept an oyster-cellar on the west
side of Third street below Vine. Over the doorway was a neatly-
painted sign with the following inscription on it :

" Oysters opened or in the shell,
Of the best I keep to sell ;
Walk clown and try them for yourself,
That D. McClain may gain some pelf."

About the year 1830 there was a retail tobacconist on the east
side of Front street above Chestnut. There were many retail
stores in the neighborhood at that time. In the window was a
painted sign representing three persons — one with a pipe in his
mouth, one with a plug of negro-head in his hand, and the third
conveying, from a snuff-box, " a pinch " to his nose. Beneath
was this inscription :

" We three brothers be

In one cause ;
■ Tom putFs, Bill snuffs,

And I chaws."

Sixty years ago, on Sixth street near Diamond, was the sign of
The Pilgrim, a tavern, store, and hay-scales, kept by Samuel
Claphamson, a little Englishman. At the same time, at the
junction of Sixth street and Germantown road, Avas the sign of
the Spread Eagle, a tavern kept by John Slifer. There was also
the Woodman tavern and garden at Fifth street and Germantown
road, with the sign of a man with an axe, with the following
verse below:

" In Freedom's happy land,
My task of Duty done,
In Mirth's light-hearted band,
Why not the lowly woodman one ?"

When an ornamental signboard painter's apprentice, and before
lie studied portrait-j^ainting, Thomas S. Fernon either re-painted
the old Woodman sign or painted a new one at his father's house
in the old district of Kensington.

About sixty years ago The Castle stood at the north-west
corner of Ninth and AV^alnut streets. INIany who frequented
that unpretentious })lace afterward became men of note on the
stage, at the bar, and in business circles generally. The then
youthful Edwin Forrest played his part there, and to his own
satisfaction at least ; and others, with less confidence in them-
selves, and even more grace and intellect, hoped soon to rival the
great Talma. It was then and there that the proprietors, the
immortal Stubbs & Allen, furnished the public with their in-
comparable shoe-blacking, bearing their trade-mark — a label

Taverns. 357

representing a game-cock fighting his shadow in a boot. Hud-
dled closely together in front of this rude shanty on both streets,
every night when the old Walnut Street Theatre (or circus) per-
formances were given, sat a lot of Africa's daughters dealing out
their bewitching " peppery-pot-with-chickery-in-it," which, with
their " hot-corn " and " peanuts," fortified the inner man for wit-
nessing such " tragic scenes " as that classic neighborhood afforded.
The Castle was originally built as an office for the lumber-yard
of Joseph Parham on the premises. It was probably not more
than twelve feet wide, and was about twenty feet in depth along
Walnut street. The balance of the lot, running westward to the
line of the residence of Charles Kuhn, Esq., and northward to
George street (now Sansom), was afterward occupied as a wood-
yard. In that old Castle were crowded nightly a large number
of eccentric, ambitious, and fun-loving young men, whose ])atron-
age and talents induced the veteran Stubbs to fit up the rear
portion of his classic abode to enable them to work themselves
into frenzy and provoke bursts of applause when ])ersonating
Young Norval, or some bloody Turk, or jealous Moor. Of
course he who strutted, shouted, or groaned upon that miniature
stage estimated his future glories by the amount of applause
which he then elicited.

Thirty years ago, there was a sign on the south side of Race
street above Fifth representing a dog with a bird in his mouth,
the tavern beino; called the Dog; and Pheasant. Also the Camel
Hotel, on Second street above Race, with its sign of the camel.
This was a favorite stopping-place for farmers doing business on
Second street. It was torn down within the past ten or fifteen
years. Its erection dated before the Revolution.

A contributor says: "In the year 1839, at the north-west
corner of Sixth street and Middle alley, just above Pine street,
there was a two-story frame house in which was kept a tavern or
drin king-saloon by one Edward Kelly. In front he had a large
swinging sign — a bee-hive, with the motto, " By Industry we
Thrive." It was very handsomely gilded, and represented the
busy bees going in and coming out of the hive. [In fact, I sug-
gested and drew the design for Kelly.] A few weeks after the
sign had been put up I attended a temperance meeting, where I
was quite mortified at hearing the Rev. John Chambers ridicule
the idea of said sign. He condemned it truthfully, and his re-
marks made me feel like anything but a ' morning star.' "

In the Independent Balance of August, 1820, this advertise-
ment appeared : " Union Hotel. — Samuel E. Warwick respectfully
informs his friends, and the public generally, that he has opened
a house of entertainment at the north-east corner of Seventh and
Cedar streets (or South street), and has copied for his sign Mr.
Binn's beautiful copper-plate engraving of the Declaration of
Independence by that justly-celebrated artist, Mr. Woodside:

358 Annals of PhUadelpliia.

' Whate'er may tend to soothe the soul below,
To dry tlie tear and blunt tlie shaft of woe,
To drown the ills that discompose the mind —
All those who seek at Warwick's Inn shall find.' "

The Caledonia Tavern, a great place of resort for Scotchmen,
was on the south side of South street near Front. It had a
swinging sign, on one side of which was a picture of two friends
shaking hands, and underneath were the words, " May we never
see an old friend with a new face." On the reverse side Avas a
thistle.

About sixty years ago there was a tavern at the south-west
corner of Tenth and Arch streets which had a large sign of Gen-
eral Washington. It was kept by ^yil]iam Raster, and was
sometimes known as the " Washington Soup House," as the pro-
prietor was famous for his soups and pejiper-pots.

Robinson Crusoe, was kept by the widow Waltman, on Locust
street above Eleventh, on the ground now occupied by the Odd-
fellows' Hall. This sign dates as far back as 1814 or 1815.

Canutes Lone. — About forty-five years ago a road bearing this
name ran from Turner's lane in a south-eastwardly direction to
Sixth street or Germantown road. It passed to the south of the
late Mr. Turner Camac's country-seat, which was lately pulled
down. A small part of Camac's lane is still in existence, run-
ning north-westwardly from Broad street to Turner's lane. The
rest of the road has been vacated for many years, and its site is
now built over for nearly the whole distance. On the east side
of the end of the lane, at Sixth street, stood the Phcenix Tavern
and garden property, fronting on Fifth street on the east. Sixth
street on the west, and Camac street on the south. The latter is
now called Oxford street. The tavern was built about the close
of the war of 1812 by Samuel Hymas, an Englishman. He kept
it for a number of years, and then sold it out to Joseph Knox,
another Englishman, who also kej)t it for several years. The
Cohocksink Creek ran across the lot from north to south, and had
a fancy bridge over it. It was a beautiful place fifty years ago.
The tavern and outbuildings were destroyed by fire some years
since, when the large glue and morocco factories adjoining were
burned. The entire premises of the old Phoenix Tavern are occu-
pied by D. B. Slifer as a manufactory and depot for chairs and
furniture, and the oldest inhal)itant could not recognize it as be-
ing once the resort of the ^iite and aristocracy of the city. In
connection with the history of the Phoenix Tavern, more than half
a century ago, a large organ factory was destroyed by fire which
stood adjoining, or in close ])roximity to, the Phcenix on the east.
The hotel was not injured by fire, although the yard and garden
were somewhat damaged from the trampling of feet, etc. It was
on a Sunday morning early tiiat tliis fire occurred, and during
that day the old Phanix had an unusual " run of luck " from old

Taverns. 359

and new patrons. The organ factory was carried on by William
Hall, whose family lived in one part of the building. There was
public worship held in the factory on Sunday afternoons by some
of the members of Rev. James Patterson's church, then at the
north-west corner of Second and Coates streets. The factory was
destroyed by fire in the fall of the year 1818. A colored boy
belonging to the establishment perished in the flames, and the
other inmates made a very narrow escape. The nearest fire com-
pany at that time was the Friendship, which stood at the north-
east corner of Brown and St. John streets. When the firemen
arrived they got plenty of water from the Cohocksink Creek, in
the rear of the fire, but a short distance off.

There used to be, at the time of our last war with England, a
little one-story tavern in Christian street, above Swanson, near the
old Swedes' Church. You had to go down three steps below the
pavement to get to the bar. It had a pitched roof, and was alto-
gether a comical-looking place, with a sign over the door, about
three feet square, with an old hen and a brood of young chickens,
and an eagle hovering over them holding a crown in its beak,
with this inscription on it : " May the wings of Liberty cover the
chickens of Freedom, and pluck the crown from the enemy's
head." Over sixty years ago there was a tavern in Water street
above Almond, west side, with a well-painted sign about three
feet square, with three sailors painted on it. One was sitting
down strapping a block, and the other two were standing, with
this inscription :

" Brother sailor, please to stop
And lend a hand to strap this block ;

For, if you do not stop nor call,
I cannot strap this block at all."

Among the old signs were the Horse and Anaconda, in Swanson
street, near the marine railway ; The Four Nations, in Coates
street near Fairmount, there were four castles or forts, with a
national flag of the United States, also one of England, France,
and Spain, displayed from each ; The Moon and Seven Stars, at
the north-west corner of Fourth and Hace streets ; The Canal
Boat, out Market street, some distance beyond Broad, the place
was called the Schuylkill Navigation ; the Ferry Boat, horse, on
the south side of Market street, near Water. Ou the top of this
sign, a swinging one, there was a neat model of a wherry-boat by
which passengers in winter were ferried across to Camden. Can
any tell where this model is? The peculiar style of these boats
is not seen now, and many of the present generation probably
never saw one. On the north side of Spruce street, east of Second
street, is a small alley which runs into Dock street. In this alley
more than fifty years ago was an ancient tavern with a very at-
tractive sign, having on it a man and his wife, the latter leaning
on his arm. In the hand of the woman was a bandbox and a cat

360 Annals of Philadelphia.

on top of it. The man had a monkey on his shoulder and a
parrot in his hand. It was intended to represent " A Man Full
of Trouble." This tavern retained this name for more than a
hundred years.

A once famous old tavern in Kensington was the Sorrel Horse,
at the point where Shackaniaxon street terminates in the Frank-
ford road. Most Kensingtonians who have seen two-score years
— especially Fishtowners between Frankford road and Gunner's
Run — have heard the violin and tambourine at the Sorrel Horse.
The Lady Washington was another well-known tavern-sign on
the Frankford road, opposite Bedford street, in front of an old
three-story brick house which is still standing. A large room in
the third story, with a frescoed ceiling, was rented by the Odd
Fellows or Masons. Another famous sign, Shooting the Deserter,
swung in front of Peter Boon's tavern, at the foot of Shacka-
maxon street on the Delaware. Penn's Treaty tavern-sign was
on Beach street below Marlborouo;h. The sig-n of the Landing
of Columbus, painted by Woodside, was on Beach street one
door from Laurel. On Second street, between Thompson and
Master streets, \vest side, was a sign of Daniel O'Counell, under
vvhose bust was inscribed these lines:

" Hereditary bondmen ! wlio would be free,
Themselves must strike the blow."

Some forty years ago there was a tavern kept in a frame house,
painted lead color, at the south-east corner of Sixth and South
streets. On the sign was the representation of a soldier and a
sailor in the garb of " a man-of-\varsman," with hands clasped in
each other, and a wreath over their heads with " Where Liberty
dwells, there is my country." By the side of the soldier was the
Temple of Liberty, supported by the thirteen columns, and also
the implements of war. In the background was the sea and
ships. B. jMcKeown used to keep a tavern at that time on the
east side of Second street, next to the south-east corner of Lom-
bard street, in a yellow frame building. On the sign was painted
a good portrait of Washington, and also on strips of about two
inches wide, running perpendicularly, so as to give a full view
of Washington from the north, south, and from the front. " Old
Johnny Upton," as he was fiimiliarly known, used to keep a
tavern on the south side of Dock street above Second. He had
a sign extending across his house, on which were painted fish,
game, meats, etc. ; and so natural were they painted that on one
occasion a dog passing by, on looking up and seeing them, think-
ing them real, made a jump for them. He did not find out his
mistake until his head came in contact with the sign-board. So
it was said ! In 1844 John C Piji-hter raised the sign over his

Taverns. 361

naval rendezvous, in Front street above Union, of the capture of
the Cyanne and the Levant by the " Old Ironsides," Constitu-
tion. There was a sign which presented the three portraits of
Washington, La Fayette, and Franklin — one to a person directly
opposite to it, and the others painted on slats at right angles
to the main sign, showing other faces to those who approached in
different directions. This sign was in front of a tavern on the
south side of Chestnut street above Sixth. It was afterward in
Second street below Lombard. On the brewery in Fifth street
below Market a similarly-constructed sign presented the names
of the three partners who carried on the business for about twenty
years.

The Brown Street River Market — a building project of some
magnitude, covering a lot one thousand feet long by one hundred
feet wide, bounded by Delaware avenue. Beach street, and Co-
hocksink Creek — extends over the site where, many years ago,
was located a famous inn, known to old residents of Kensington
as " General Washington crossing the Delaware."

In Letitia court was the Penn Tavern. On the sign was a por-
trait of Penn. It stood at the head of the court, directly facing
Market street. About the same time there was the Two-headed
Eagle, Third street, above Race, and the Bald Eagle, farther up
Third street. The Wigwam was in Fifth street, above Chestnut,
a little two-story building. At the south-east corner of Sixth
and Vine streets was the Cross Keys, kept by Mrs. Rex ; and
there was the same sign at the south-west corner of Second and
Lombard streets. In Sixth street above Arch was the Metamora
House (1838), with Forrest as Metamora for a sign. On Ridge
road, near Laurel Hill, was the Robin Hood, and at Laurel Hill
was a tavern kept by Renshaw. In Fourth street below Callowhill
was a blue frame two-story house called the Bird in Hand. On
one side of the sign w^as a sportsman with a dead bird in hand.
On the other side were two birds in a bush, out of the sportsman's
reach, with the motto, " A bird in hand worth two in the bush."
There was a place of resort called Adam and Eveses Garden.
On the sign was Adam and Eve in Paradise. This Avas on the
west side of Sixth street, near where Berks street now is, and ex-
tended to Seventh street. It was just above Miller's Creek, and
in the rear of the Old Cottage Garden. Miller's Creek was the
name given to Cohocksink Creek in that locality, because it went
through the grounds connected with INliller's glue-factory. It was
fifteen or twenty feet wide and from two to four feet deep, and was
the favorite resort for swimming of many of the boys in the
northern section of the city. The tavern and garden were kept
by Daniel Ley, a German.

At the nortli-east corner of Second and Union streets about the
year 1813 there was a plain tavern-sign representing a gate, and
the following was inscribed under it :

362 Annals of Philadelphia,

"This gate hangs well ;
It iiinders none;
Refresli and pay,
Then travel on."

About twenty-five years aoco tliere was a sign on tlie front of a
little two-story brick house on the west side of Sixth street above
Catharine. The house is still standing. A step or two has now
to be taken before entering the lower story, the grading iiaving
thrown the house several feet below the street surface. Tiie sign
was about five feet long and about four feet wide, and represented
a fine mansion or palace, with four steps, on which were figures,
with an inscription below as follows :

"1. King — I govern all.

2. Gencml—l figlit for all. ,

3. MinlMer — I pray for all.

4. Laborer — And I pay for all."

On the west side of Sixth street, only a few doors above the sign
of Tiie Four Alls, there was some years ago a little tavern called
The Ram's Head Head-quarters. Over the front door was nailed
to the wall a huge ram's head, with large crooked horns, etc. Tliis
was about the year 1840. One Sunday evening in the Methodist
church (Catharine street, above Sixth street) the pastor, Rev.
"Billy" Barnes, the Shakespearian pulpit-orator, was seen to
walk slowly up the eastern aisle and go into the pulpit. When
there he turned around and gazed at the congregation for a few
seconds, and then spoke thus: " While walking to this house of
worship I was pained to see men going in the Ram's Head Head-
quarters— a rum-shop — head-quarters for rams! Oh, brethren,
what a contrast ! — the lambs of heaven and the rams of hell !"
This caused some little merriment among the curious, which was
increased by Barnes doubling up his fists in a pugilistic attitude,
stamping upon the floor, and daring the devil to come right out
and figiit him — "Here! here! in this pu]|)it!"

Forty years ago there was a familiar sign in Franklin place,
below Market street, west side. On a post about fifteen feet
high at the curbstone was an oval sign. Going to Law on the
one side, and Coming from Law on the other side, rej)resented
by a man on a handsomely-mounted steed going to law, and a
worn-out man and a horse all jaded and torn coming from law.
Another was on the south side of South street, below Fourth —
The Bob Logic — a tavern kept by Jim Bath, a pugilist who
taught sj)arring. This was forty-five years ago. He command-
ed the " Corntoppers," who had burlesque jiarades on militia
training-days. On Shij)pen street, above or below Sixth, a negro
named Joe Battis kej)t a barber-shoj) and also taught s])arring.
On his shutters was a tin sign with a C()U])le of men stri|iped to
the buff having a set-to. It was said that he had a white wife,

Taverns, 363

and thiit liis customers and companions were white "sports," etc.
Bob Tate, south-east corner of Fourtli and Shippen streets, had
a kirge sign on the corner — a full figure of General Jackson.
This was a loafing-place for "Corntoppers" and "sports." This
was about fifty years ago.

About tiie year 1796 and after, there was a sign at the
south-east corner of South and Vernon streets, between Se-
cond and Front streets, representing a Avoraan sitting with a
tub in front of her, in which a stripped darkey, apparently
up to his middle in water, was standing; her hand was raised,
with a scrubbing-brush in it, and from her mouth proceeded
a scroll with the words, " Labor in vain to wash blackamoor
white."

More than fifty years ago there was a large swinging sign,
with a blue ground and a large bunch of purple grapes, which
was the origin of the Purple and Blue, a short distance below
Landreth's garden. The house was then kept by a Frenchman
of the name of Lutier. Afterward it was kept by a Mr. Doug-
lass, who altered the sign. He had painted on it a woman, well
executed and of full size, with her head cut off, lying at her feet.
He called it the "Quiet Woman" — as much as to say a woman
couldn't be quiet unless her head was cut oif. The people got
very indignant at the sign, and Mr. Douglass was obliged to re-
move it or to lose his customers. The Yellow Cottage was one
square above the Purple and Blue, between Second and Front
streets. Purj)le and Blue was a retreat for persons to refresh
themselves after a long rural walk, and a meeting-place for
sportsmen in quest of game — birds and fish. It was also a
stopping-place or halfway house for the "Neckers" and truck-
growers to water their horses and to take a drink on their way
home from market. Old Colonel John Tliompson occasionally
had parades of his regiments there; and Colonel Pluck, who was
an hostler at the Old Drover tavern, Fifth and Callowhill streets,
was elected to the command of the militia of Philadelphia to
make it odious and more unpopular, with a view of abolishing
the law and its penalties. Billy Ilurlick was at that time
collector of militia-fines. The suits and levies made by tiiis man
made him the terror of every delinquent householder. Colonel
Pluck made his first parade fantastically dressed and mounted
on an old crip])led horse, supported by guards to keep the poor
animal on his feet, followed by the fantastic Corntoppers, who
paraded through the streets with a comic band to the Puri)le and
Blue, and went through burlesque field movements and comjiany
drill, to the greatest joy, shouting, and laughing of the militia-
men and lookers-on. While going through the streets of old
Southwark it was amusing to see the windows raised and the
heads pop out, and tlien the rush from doorways and alleys by
crowds of laughing men, women, and children, some of them

364 Annals of Philadelphia.

onlv half dressed, shouting " Corntoppers !" or '^ What is it?" or
" AVho are they ?" etc.

The Yellow Cottage Tavern stood back from the front fence
and shriil)bery on the east side of Second street near Greenwich,
extending through to Front street, some two hundred yards or
more. There was in front of this house a swinging sign, with
this inscription :

" Rove not from sign to sign, but step in liere,
Where naught exceeds the prospect but the cheer."

The tavern was owned and kept by an old man named Steel. It
was a place of great resort at that time. Beyond the lot it was
all an open space to the Delaware River. Occasionally shooting-
parties enjoyed themselves here. The rifle and target Avere used
for ])rize-shooting for a pool, for chickens, and sometimes for a
fat hog. Quoits, throwing of an axe, large stones, and fifty-six-
pound weights were also indulged in. But the most anuising
entertainment was walking up the hill to the tree blindfolded.
A good southerly breeze could be enjoyed, together with a
charming view of the river. These were the days when Ned
Sprogell, "the terror of the Neck," was living. He kept the
Point House for a while, and was twice tried for murder. It
was said that he waylaid a drover on the Point House road
below the Yellow Cottage. The victim had beeu at his house,
and he was returning to the city after night, etc. However, he
got off. Ned Sprogell kept a low kind of a whiskey-shop some-
where in these parts, which was visited by a bad set of fellows,
who idled away their time in killing frogs, blackbirds, and reed-
birds (which sold at the low price of six and ten cents per dozen).
His house was generally avoided by respectable persons.

The Red Cow was on the west side of Vernon street — a red
cow, with a milkmaid alongside of her, the bucket upon the
ground. The Harp and Crown — or as it became after the Revo-
lution, Harp and Eagle — was situated in Third street (east side)
below Arch, where Hieskell's City Hotel Mas built subsequently.
Judge Henry, on his return from the Arnold expedition to Que-
bec, mentions stopping at the Harp and Crown. The Directory
of 1785 states it to have been in Third street above Chestnut,
corner of Elbow lane. Family deeds and ])apers attest this.
This inn in later times was known as the " Robinson Crusoe "
Tavern. It was a frequent practice in old times for innkeepers,
when removing, to take their sign with them, which accounts for
the change in location. Hieskell's City Hotel was in full ope-
ration forty years ago, but it has been torn down for over twenty
vears.

The sign of Burns's head in Bank street was kept by Muir-
head forty years ago. On the south side of the sign were these
words :

Taverns. 365

" 'Twas thus the royal mandate ran,
When first the human race began:
The friendly, social, honest man,

AVhate'er he be,
'Tis lie fulfils great Nature's plan.

And none but he."

The annexed lines were over the front door :

" The rank is but the guinea's stamp ;
The man's the goud (gold) for a' (all) that."

On the Chestnut street side of the Mnirhead si^n was the portrait
of Burns, with the following lines, also from his own song :

" Tak' a Scotsman frae his hill.
Clap in his cheek a Highland gill.
Say such is Royal George's will.

And there's the foe :
He has nae thought but how to kill
Twa at a blow."

The Royal Standard Tavern, in INIarket street near Second, was
kept by Henry Pratt, P. D. G. M. of the Masons, who held their
Grand Lodge here in 1749.

The Queen's Head, in King (or AVater) street, Avhere the Welsh
" Society of Ancient Britons " had their annual dinners, was kept
by Robert Davis in 1729.

The Crown, where the St. George's Society had their annual
dinner, was kept by David Evans in 1731.

The old Phoenix Tavern, that was a popular drive years ago,
stood at tlie north-east corner of Sixth and Plioenix (now called
Thompson) streets.

The tavern and hay^market at Fifth and Green streets were
kept in 1836 by John Weaver, a brother of Thomas Weaver.
Thomas Weaver lived at that time on Sixth street, east side, one
door above Green. John Weaver, after moving out to Nicetown,
was elected Register of Wills.

The Bell Tavern, at 48 South Eighth street, west side, was a
two-story, rough-cast house, and was named after the old bell
that hung in the State House, which was presented to St. Au-
gustine's Church, and destroyed by the fire in May, 1844. The
Bell Tavern in 1828-29 was ke|)t by Hines Causland, and was
said to have been the first house in this city in which " Okl
Hickory " was named for the Presidency. About that time it
was a great resort for politicians — such men as George Smith (the
blacksmith of Sansom street), John and Henry Horn, Col. Sam-
uel B. Davis, and others. It was for a long time a tavern. In
1845 it was kept by James Boylen. In later years it became a
" three-cent shop," and was resorted to by blacks and whites,
who, though tlicy might have been well enough in their sphere,

31*

366 Annals of Philadelphia.

•were not considered the most respectable members of society. At
tlie time of the great fire of 1854, when the Museum and the
National Theatre were destroyed, the building escaped the de-
vouring element; but it has now been replaced by other im-
provements.

Robert Bogle, waiter, Xo. 46 South Eifjhth street, is in the
Directory for 1825-28. In the Directory for 1829 he is located
in Pine street above Tenth. He lived in the house adjoining
No. 46, on the north, where he had a store for tiie sale of con-
fectionery and other small articles. He resided there for many
years, and wa:s well known to many of the inhabitants of that
section of the city — many who remember him by his elastic gait
and manner, with his hands, and sometimes his arms, filled with
funeral and ]>arty invitations. Afterward he moved into Pine
street above Tenth, and died in the s]>ring of 1837. He "was
buried in St. Thomas's churchyard, in Filth street. His funeral
was attended by Johnson's band, of which he Avas a member, and
by a numerous assemblage of colored citizens, who held him in
high estimation. We have been told that Bogle occupied both
houses — the '' Bell " and that next door. (See a ])oem on this
celebrated waiter and undertaker, by Nicholas Biddle.)

The Howard House, Walnut street above Third, a large marble
structure, was more a first-class boarding-house than a hotel.

The Falstaff' House, north-west corner Sixth and Carpenter
(now Jayne street), probably owes its existence to the fact that
the Chestnut Street Theatre was built in its vicinity. It was
erected about the same time ; so that its existence goes back no
further than 1790. In 1795 it was kept by Lewis Young, and
the sign was Washington. Young was there in 1801. He left
the place in 1810. It is doubtful whether the sign of FalstaiF
was adoj)ted before the time William Warren, one of the mana-
gers of the Old Chestnut, became famous in that character, which
was probably after the Chestnut Street Theatre was burned and
rebuilt — about 1821. The painting was by Woodside, and was
an excellent likeness, of Warren.

The Sans Souci Hotel, on the west side of the Schuylkill, on
the cliffs near Gray's Ferry, was a romantic place. It was the
country-seat of the Say family; and after the Ir'hiladelphia, Bal-
timore, and Wilmington Railroad was opened, and after a bridge
was built at Gray's Ferry, this mansion was taken by William
Debeanfre, who opened it as a tavern and place of resort. Orth-
wine, who had the tavern on the east side of the Schuylkill at
Gray's Ferry, also kept this tavern. It was a short-lived affair,
and only lasted a few years, being torn down to make way for the
widening of the railroad.

The Rush mansion, on Chestnut street above Nineteenth, whose
history is coextensive with that of Philadelphia as the bright cen-
tre around which the fashion and intelligence of the city M'ere often

Taverns. 367

gathered, was opened in 1877 as a first-class hote], and is known
as The Aldine. It was the residence of the late Dr. Rush, who
founded the Rush Library. He married Miss Ridgway, the
daughter of the millionaire, Jacob Ridgway. She was a prom-
inent leader of fashion and the literati of Philadelphia for many
years.

The Franklin House, north-east corner of Chestnut street and
Franklin ])lace, was built by David Winebrener, and opened as
a hotel by James M. Sanderson & Son in 1842. It occupied the
site of several small dwellings. It has been so recently demol-
ished that we should suppose that it would be very generally re-
membered.

The Continental Hotel was opened for visitors February 13th,
18G0, and for guests February 16th, The escort to the Japanese
ambassadors from the Baltimore Railroad de]:)6t to the Conti-
nental Hotel took place June 9th, 1860.

71ie Black Bear, p. 466. — This tavern, on Fifth street below
Market, stood where Merchant street now is, as that was cut
through its grounds. It was formerly in Market street below
Fifth, kept by Branham, and afterward moved to Fifth street,
and kept by Justice. It was a large brick building, with an
arched entrance, up which led a flight of marble steps to the
first floor. Its large stable-yard accommodated the numerous
farmers who sold in the Market street markets and stopped here.
It also gave excellent dinners at a moderate price, and many of
the merchants regularly dined there. Upon the demolition of the
markets its custom of course went with them, and it gave wav
to the present fine market-house. From here also several lines
of stages started.

P. 467. — " Died on Friday, Mr. Joseph Yates, a noted tavern-
keeper in Chestnut street in this city. [Penna. Chron., Nov.
26, 1770.)

Three-Tun Tavern Avas in Chestnut street, south side, below
Second, kept by William Tidmarsh before 1725. "C. Marshall,
druggist, opposite Strawberry, near the Three-Tun Tavern."

The Tun, in King (now Water) street, below Chestnut, at the
corner of Tun alley, was kept by Ralph Basnet in 1732. It was
the place where the JNIasonic Lodges were held.

P. 469. — The Turk's Head (or Khouli Khan) was pulled down
in the si)ring of 1847, and fine stores built where it stood.

Number of Taverns and Saloons in the City in 1S77. — At the
request of the Municipal Commission, Mayor Stokley caused to
be made by the police a census of the taverns and beer-saloons
within the consolidated city. The whole number is 5455, being
718 more than when the census was tal-cen in June, 1875.

368 Annals of Philadelphia.

SHOP SIGNS.

P. 467. — The following were some of the most known about

1720 to 1750:

Lion and Glove, "Water street, by Andrew Morris, glover;

The Hat, ^Market street ;

Lock and Key, Chestnut street ;

Paracelsus' Head, Market street, Evan Jones, chemist; afterward
AVilliani Slii])j)en ;

Crown and Cnsinon, Germantown, by the Quaker Meeting;

Two Bibles, Market street, by St. Thomas Hyndshaw;

The Whalebone, Chestnut street, by John Breintnall, 1731 ;

Blue Ball, Water street ;

Tobacco Pipe, Second street, next the meeting-house, by Hugh
Roberts ;

Black Boy, ^larket street, by John Prichard ;

The Still and Orange Tree, Xorth Second street, by Xathaniel
Downer, distiller, afterward oj)posite State House;

Still and Blue Ball, King street, by Benjamin Morgan ;

The Scales, Walnut and Front street, by Edward Bridges;

Crown and Sce]itre, Front street ;

Adam, by Charles Williams, tailor;

Easy-Chair, by Plunket Heeson, upholsterer, 1739;

Ship Aground, by Richard Pitt ;

The Gun, Market steet, near John Kinsey's ;

Bird-in-Hand, Chestnut, o})posite Strawberry alley ;

The Shuttle, Third street ;

The Green Stays, Front street ;

The Bell, Second street, opposite Baptist meeting-house;

Golden Ball, Chestnut street, opposite Strawberry allev;

Blue Wig, Front street, by William Crosthwaite;

Chest of Drawers, Front street, by May Emerson ;

Two Sugar-Loaves, by Ti^mothy ]\Iatlack ;

The Globe, Market street, by Simon ^Nlyer, ]iowterer ;

Golden Heart, High street, by Samuel Emlen, druggist;

Spinning Wheel, ^larket street, by James Meredith;

Unicorn, by B. Farmer, druggist ;

Golden Ball, Chestnut street, by Christopher Marshall, apothe-
cary ;

Amsterdam Arms, by Simon Siron ;

Highland man. Second street, above High, by David Wells, to-
bacconist and distiller;

Hand-saw, Mai-kct street, by Mordecai Yarnall ;

The Still and Greenman, ^Market street, corner of Strawberry
alley, by Henry Dexter ;

Trumpet, ^Market street, by William Klemm ;

Dove, Third street, by John White, druggist;

Theatres. 369

The Crown, Market street, by David Evans, olives and capers;
Coopers' Arms, Front street, by Nathaniel Tyler, beef and pork ;
The Sun, Second street, by Samuel Roberts ;
The Eose and Crown, Front street, by Philip John.

THEATRES.

p. 471. — See Dunlap's History of the Stage; The American
Stage, by James Rees, published in the City Item, 3 n\y, 1853;
Weyraiss's Chronology of the American Stage ; Durang's Early His-
tory of the Stage, with notes by the editor, Thompson Westcott, in
the Sunday Dispatch, 1854 ; Wood's Personal Recollections of the
Stage, 1855 ; Life of Edwin Foyrest.

it is not known exactly who were the first performers alluded
to by Watson as appearing in 1749. The only play spoken of
was that of the tragedy of Cato, which was acted in August, 1749,
probably in Plumstead's store in Water street. Though some of
the Quakers " expressed their sorrow," the company probably re-
mained some time, as on January 8, 1750, the Recorder called
the attention of Councils to the matter, as stated by Watson, and
most probably the magistrates drove them from the city, as their
arrival in New York was announced in the New York Gazette of
February 26th, 1750, as a company of comedians from Philadel-
phia ; the managers Avere Messrs. Murray and Kean.

The South wark Theatre was opened by David Douglass No-
vember 21st, 1766. It was the only theatre in the city until the
Northern Liberties Theatre was erected by Kenna, in Front street,
below Noble, in November, 1791. It was superseded as a fash-
ionable theatre by the opening of the Chestnut Street Theatre
April 2d, 1793. The South Street Theatre continued to be a
place of occasional dramatic performances until it was burned,
May 9th, 1821. The property was then purchased, the old walls
built upon, and a distillery opened there. We never heard of
Patrick Lyon's having any interest in that property.

p. 473._The first Chestnut Street Theatre, in Chestnut Street,
north side, above Sixth, was built in 1793 and burned down in
1820, on April 2d. Nothing was known as to the origin of the
fire. It was rebuilt, and opened in 1822. Its popular name was
*' Old Drury." In this theatre Jenny Lind first sang, October
16th, 1850. She afterward sang in the Chinese Museum, corner
of Ninth and Sansom streets, which was burned in 1854. About
1830 the New Orleans Opera Company, of which Davis was the
manager, performed, at the Chestnut Street Theatre, La Gazza
Jjadra — a favorite piece at that day. The title was The Magpie
Thief ; and the subject of the plot was devoted to the misfortunes
and sufferings of the heroine, who was suspected and persecuted

Vol. Ill,— Y

370 Annals of Pliiladelphia.

for the stealing of jewels which the ma2:pie liad really carried
away. The piece was afterward translated into Enirlish under
the title of The Maid and the 3Iagpie. Mrs. Jane Siieriff, INIr.
Wilson, and Mr. Soguin, the elder, played and sung in that piece
throughout the United 8'tates.

Fanny Elssler, the famous danseuse, arrived in this country in
the spring of 1840, and performed at the Chestnut Street Theatre
in the summer and fall of the same year.

The opera of Norma was first produced in this country on the
11th of January, 1841, at two theatres in Philadeli)hia. At the
Chestnut Street Theatre Mrs. Wood sustained the character of
Norma. At Burton's National Theatre Madame Sutton was the
prima donna.

Miss Charlotte Cushman played the Actress of Padua at the
old Chestnut Street Theatre, under the management of James
Quinlan — W. S. Fredericks, stage manager — in the season of
1850-51.

The Chestnut Street Theatre was closed after the performance,
on May 1, 1855, of the burletta of Tlie Loan of a Lover and the
comedies of Faint Heart never v)on Fair Lady and Perfection.
The principal characters were personated by ^^liss Julia Daly,
Mrs. Griffiths, Mrs. Mueller, Miss Annie Graham, Mrs. Monell,
Mr. Griffiths, JNIr. H. Lewis, A^Xvne Olwyne, Mr. S. \Y. Glenn,
Mr, Morrow, and Mr. Jones. Olwyne and Griffiths were the
managers. The house was torn down shortly after. The site
is now occupied by Rockhill & Wilson's clothing store, and by
the Evening Bidletin building. This latter was built by H. Cow-
pertliwait, the bookseller.

The Chestnut Street Theatre was purchased by Mr. Swift, a
wealthy stock and exchange broker, and was taken down in May,
1855. Fine stores were erected ujwn its site. At the sale of old
material and marble front jNIessrs. Struthers bought the four mar-
ble columns, which had cost a large sum to import, at twenty-five
dollars each.

The new Chestnut Street Theatre, above Twelfth street, was
first opened for performances on the 26th of January, 1863, under
the management of William Wheatley — Edwin Forrest playing
the part ofVirginius. There was a fire at the New Chestnut
a few years after, which was fortunately extinguished without
much loss.

There have been twenty-five theatres in this city, as follows:
Corner of South and Vernon streets, between Front and Second,
opened 1759; the New Theatre, corner of South and Ajwllo
streets, between Fourth and Fifth, opened 1766 ; Northern Liber-
ties Theatre, Front street, above Pool's Bridge, 1792; Chestnut
Street Theatre, Chestnut, aljove Si-^th street, 1793; Olymjiic The-
atre, corner of Walnut and Ninth streets; Apollo Street Theatre,
opened 1811; Prune Street Theatre, Prune street, below Sixth,

Theatres. 371

1821 ; New Chestnut Street Theatre, opened 1822 ; Tivoli Gar-
den Theatre, Market street, near Broad ; Vauxhall Theatre, cor-
ner of Wahiut and Broad streets; Arch Street Theatre, Arch
street, near Sixth, 1828; Washington Theatre, Old York road,
above Buttonwood street, opened 1830; Pennsylvania Theatre,
Coates street, near Third, opened 1836 ; National Theatre, Chest-
nut street, near Ninth, opened 1840, burned July 5, 1854; Sils-
bee's Jjyceum, south-east corner of Chestnut and Seventh streets;
City Museum, Callowhill street, between Fourth and Fifth ; New
Chestnut Street Theatre ; New Arch Street Theatre ; Continental
Theatre; Fox's American Theatre; New Walnut Street Theatre;
Theatre Comique; Philadelphia Museum, Ninth and Arch streets;
Kiralfy's Theatre, Broad street below Locust; New National The-
atre, Tenth and Callowhill streets ; New Adelphi Theatre, Broad
street above Arch ; Enochs' Varieties, Seventh street, below
Arch. Some of these were originally erected for circus pur-
poses. There have been several instances of circuses being
turned into theatres, but none of which we know where theatres
were turned into circuses — except it might be temporarily. The
circus buildings in Philadelphia have been as follows: First,
Market street, near Centre Square ; second, corner of Twelfth
and Market streets; third, Ricketts' Circus, south-west corner
Sixth and Chestnut streets; fourth, Lailson's Amphitheatre,
.Fifth street above Prune; fifth, Pepin & Breschard's Circus,
corner of Ninth and Walnut streets; Washington Circus, Old
York road; Cooke's Circus, Chestnut and Ninth streets;
National Circus, Walnut street, above Eighth ; Warner's Cir-
cus, corner Tenth and Callowhill streets. The Academy of
Music, corner of Broad and Locust streets, although at times
used for theatrical purposes, can scarcely be classed among the
list of theatres. There have also been very good theatrical com-
panies exhibiting at other places — as, for instance, McAran's
Garden, the Chinese Museum, the old Masonic Hall, in Chestnut
street, the Assembly Buildings, and other places. Ethiopian
minstrelsy has had during this period but two buildings specially
devoted to its purposes, being Carncross & Dixey's Eleventh
Street Opera-House and Simmons & Slocum's Arch Street
Opera-House.

Cooke's equestrian circus company first opened in Philadelphia
at the circus building. Chestnut street below Ninth, a'^pecially
erected for their use, August 28, 1837. The company appeared
at the Walnut Street Theatre after it was burnt out at the Front
Street Theatre, Baltimore.

The circus at the north-cast corner of Walnut and Ninth streets
Avas first opened to the public February 2d, 1809, by Pepin &
Breschard, equestrians. It was rebuilt and opened by Inslee &
Blake, January 21st, 1829. It was then a theatre and circus
combined. After the ring performances, Mr. Cowell, who was

372 Annals of Philadelphia.

the manager, played Paul Pry. It was until within a recent pe«
riod known as the 01ym])ic Theatre, and now as the New Amer-
ican or Walnut Street Theatre. One circus company, \vq tliink,
was under the management of Turner the equestrian, who ]ier-
formed from February 7th to March 14th, 1842, in a movable
ring set on the stage.

Dan Rice and company of equestrians performed at the \yalnut
Street Theatre for two weeks, commencing March 3d, 1862. The
ring was built upon the stage. Nixon's Royal Equestrian Troupe
exhibited at the Walnut Street Theatre June 11th, 1860, a gutta-
percha ring being placed upon the stage.

Some years ago the most fashionable places in the theatre were
the boxes and first and second tiers. Next was the pit, now
called the parquet. And lastly, the gallery, now called the am-
phitheatre. The dearest seats were those of the orchestra, adjoin-
ing the musicians. The "pit " originally built at the Arch Street
Theatre remained without change until the season of 1852, Avhen
Thomas J. Hemphill, then lessee, remodelled the house, removed
the old pit, and fitted the space occupied by the benches with
seats in the parquet style. With these alterations the theatre was
opened August 21st, 1852. The theatre wixs first opened October
1, 1828.

List of Places of Amusement burned in Philadelphia. — The
following is a list of all the theatres and places of amusement
destroyed by fire in Philadel{)hia : Rickett's Circus, south-west
corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets, December 17, 1799; Vaux-
hall Garden, north-east corner of Broad and Walnut streets,
burned by a mob, September 8, 1819; Chestnut Street Theatre,
north side of Chestnut street, east of Sixth, April 2, 1820 ; South-
wark Theatre, corner South and Apollo streets, between Fourth
and Fifth, May 9, 1821 ; Maelzel's Hall, Fifth above Prune,
1845; Athenaeum (Barnum's Museum and Theatre), south-east
corner Seventh and Chestnut, December 30, 1851 ; Assembly
Buildings, south-west corner of Tenth and Chestnut streets,
March 18, 1851 ; Sanford's Opera-House, Twelfth street below
Chestnut, December 9, 1853 ; National Theatre, south side of
Chestnut street, east of Ninth, July 5, 1854; Chinese jNIuscum,
north-east corner of Ninth and Sansom streets, July 5, 1854;
American Museum, north-west corner of Fifth and Chestnut
streets, December, 1854 ; Melodeon, north side of Chestnut, be-
tween Sixth and Seventh, 1857; Fox's American Theatre, Wal-
nut street, west of Eighth, June 19th, 1867 ; City Museiun The-
atre, Callowhill street, between Fourth and Fifth, November
25th, 1868; National Hall, south side of Market street, east of
Thirteenth, January 29th, 1874; Harmonie Hall (German The-
atre), Coates street near Seventh, IMarch 8th, 1871; Sanfonl's
Opera-House, Second street above Po])lar, October 17th, 1871 ;
Arch Street Opera-House (Simmons & Slocum's), Arch street,

Theatres. 373

west of Tenth, March 20th, 1872; Fox's American Theatre,
Chestnut street, above Tenth, February 25th, 1877.

Lailson's Ampliitheatre and Concert, north-west corner of
Fifth and Prune streets, was destroyed by the falling in of the
dome July 8th, 1798.

The Vauxhall Theatre, north-east corner of Walnut and Broad
streets, was used for various forms of exhibitions and for balloon
ascensions, and more particularly for displays of fireworks and
other attractive amusements, etc. On the evening of September
8, 1819, it was destroyed by an infuriated mob wlio took offence
at being disappointed in a l)aIloon ascension. The elm that stands
on Walnut street, overhanging the street, was an old tree then.
One other old tree — a cedar — is still standing in the garden of
the Dundas mansion. At the Old Vauxhall, many years ago, a
fight took place between two gentlemen (one a broker in Third
street, the other a celebrated dentist in New York). They had
an old quarrel, and resolved to come out to the garden some eve-
ning with a few friends and fight it out; whicli they did, the for-
mer decidedly getting the worst of it. But the attractions attend-
ing the Old Vauxhall Garden have all jiassed away. Mr. Durang
mentions in his History of the Philadelphia Stage several instances
in which plays were performed at Vauxhall.

The Garden Theatre, called the Tivoli Theatre, was originally
opened by Lawrence Astolfi, about the year 1815, under the
name of the Columbian Garden. It was not very successful, in
consequence of the superior attractions of the Vauxhall Garden
Theatre. After the latter was destroyed by a mob in the year
1819 the star of the Columbian Garden began to shine again.
It was leased by Stanislaus Surin, a juggler, who gave it the
name of Tivoli, after the celebrated Italian cascade near the city
of the same name in Italy. It was first opened under that name
for musical performances on the 22d of May, 1820. On the 29th
of May it was opened as a summer theatre, and closed on the 21st
of October. Stanislaus then procured the use of a building in
Prune street, between Fifth and Sixth — which was latterly used
as Roussel's mineral- water establishment — which he opened on
the 20th of November, 1820, as the Winter Tivoli Theatre. The
Tivoli Garden Theatre was never used as a circus. The property
on Prune street belongs to Swaim's estate. On Saturday, Nov.
1, 1856, it took fire, and owing to a high south-west wind its de-
struction appeared inevitable, but it was extinguished in about an
hour, after destroying the roof and much of tlie upper stories.
Shortly after the roof of the African church on Fifth street,
above Prune, was discovered on fire, but was soon extinguished.

FOX'S FORTUNES.

Robert Fox has been for a long time connected with the variety
business in this city, and during that time has met with various

374 Annals of Philadelphia.

fortunes. His first connection was with the Casino, an establish-
ment which was opened for variety pertbrniances in the old build-
ing which had been for many years occupied as Jones's Hotel, in
Chestnut street, between Sixth and Seventh streets. He was at
this place for some time, but, ambitious for a better establishment,
he changed his quarters to the old Continental Theatre, in AV^al-
nut street, above Eiyjhth. This buildino- had seen manv chano;es.
It was constructed on a large lot running from Walnut to Sansom
streets which had been occupied in 1831 by Roper's, and after-
ward by Barrett's, Gymnasium. Raymond & Waring erected the
first building there for the purposes of a menagerie, and occupied
it with their zoological collection for some years, being succeeded
by Welch & Lent, and subsecjuently by General Rufus Welch on
his own account. During its occupancy by Welch & Lent as a
zoological institute a tragic accident occurred to two fine large
elephants that were drowned in the Delaware. They were called
Virginius and Bozzaris. The mistake was in chaining them. All
efforts to get them on the ferry-boat were futile, and it was at
length decided to swim them over. Elephants are good swim-
mers, and liave the power of raising and lowering themselves in
the water without any apparent effort, and also of remaining in
the water a long time ; Avhich, when the drivers are in a hurry,
detains them. It was to overcome these peculiarities that they
were shackled, so that the keeper could go alongside in a boat and
Imrry them up. In the middle of the river, from some unknown
cause, they became entangled, and were eventually drowned. A
man — William Williams — was killed by the elephant Romeo at
winter-quarters near Philadelphia.

The elephant Columbus, wiiich was exhibited at the Zoological
Institute, assaulted William Kelly, a keeper, on the 24th of De-
cember, 1847. Kelly died a few days afterward. It being feared
that the elephant would break out of the building, the mayor pro-
vided a piece of cannon, Avhich was planted in front of the doore;
.but the animal did not come out.

Ballard & Stickney altered this place for the purposes of a
circus, and o})ened it for equestrian performances on the 3d of
December, 1853. After the National Amphitheatre, Chestnut
street, east of Ninth — now a portion of the site of the Continental
Hotel — and occupied by Welch & Lent, was burned, July 5th,
1854, negotiations M-ere made for the Walnut Street Menagerie.
They succeeded Ballard &. Stickney, and the house Avas for some
years known as AVelcii's National Amj)hitheatre and Circus. It
was oj)ened for that purpose July 5th, 1854.

William Wheatley succeeded General Welch. He tore out the
ring, put up a stage, altered the house for dramatic purposes, and
opened the house as the Continental Theatre — a speculation which
was not fortunate. It was at this house, during Mr. Wheatley 's
management, that the Gale sisters lost their lives by thei; .ii'sses

Tlieatres. 375

taking fire while they were performing on the stage. The house
seemed doomed after that, and Mr. Wheatley abandoned it about
1861. Allison & Hincken succeeded, and opened the place as a
variety theatre in 1862.

Mr. Fox followed them, and gave up the Casino, which, after
a few months' trial in other hands, was unable to compete with
better attractions, and was closed. Mr. Fox gave to the building
on Walnut street the name of Fox's American Theatre, and
opened it to the public August 23d, 1865. He remained there
with much success until June 19, 1867, when the building was
totally destroyed. The Black Crook was in the course of per-
formance when the fire broke out, about half-past nine o'clock in
the evening. Fortunately, the audience was warned in time, and
vacated the building safely. But notwithstanding this happy
circumstance, there was a great loss of life While the firemen
were laboring faithfully, the front wall of the theatre fell out into
the street, by which thirteen persons were killed and sixteen
wounded. After this disaster Mr. Fox with great energy applied
himself to the rebuilding of the house, and it was opened in the
same year. He remained here for about three years. In conse-
quence of difficulties with his landlord, he turned his attention to
a new situation. He bought from the Academy of Fine Arts the
large lot on Chestnut street formerly occupied by that institution,
and opened Fox's New American Theatre, December 17th, 1870.
The Academy of Fine Arts sold the property upon which the
theatre was erected to Mr. Fox for one hundred and thirty-five
thousand dollars, subject to a ground-rent of three hundred and
twenty dollars per annum. This theatre was destroyed by fire
February 25th, 1877, involving, besides several other houses, the
Mercantile Library in partial destruction. It was rebuilt with
more elegance, and opened for performances in November, 1877.

Forrest and Macready. — The late Edwin Forrest, the American
tragedian, while in England, claimed to have been badly treated
by Macready, and Forrest admitted he hissed Macready when
playing Hamlet in London for "introducing a fancy dance."
When Macready visited this country in 1848, he made several
addresses in which he spoke against Forrest, to one of which, at
the Arch Street Theatre, on November 20th, Mr. Forrest replied.
This theatrical war had numerous partisans on each side, and
waged hot for a time, and what was known as the Forrest-Ma-
cready riots took place May 7, 1849.

Capacity of the Present Theatres. — Walnut Street Theatre,
parquet and parquet circle, 800; total seating capacity, 1800.
Chestnut Street Theatre, parquet and parquet circle, 558 ; total
seating capacity, 1846. Arch Street Theatre, parquet 500; total
seating capacity, 1500. Academy of Music, parquet and i)arquet
circle, 1078 ; total seating capacity, 2960.

Academy of Music. — This the finest structure in the city for

376 Annals of Philadelphia.

operatic performances, was comraenced in 1855, the corner-stone
being laid July 26th, with an address bv Mavor Conrad, at the
corner of Broad and Locust streets. It holds 3000 persons.
•The architects were Xapoleon Le Brun and Gustavus Runge.
It was opened for use Jan. 26, 1857, with a concert and'' a
splendid ball, which was crowded; during four or five nights
promenade concerts were given and well attended, though^he
weather was very unfavorable. The charge for tickets to the
ball was $5 for gentlemen and S2.50 for ladies. The adorn-
ments and fittings are very elegant, and the chandelier is superb.
The gaslights are lit by electricity. The stage is perhaps the
largest in the country.

The business of the Academy of Music for 1877 was smaller
than for any year since 1865. There were 123 representations
during the year, of which 25 were operas, 25 dramas, and 31
concerts. The receipts \vere .$38,859.44, and the expenditures
S30,600.45; 825,375.50 was received as the rent of the Academy.
The net receipts, after paying interest, etc., were Si 64.87. The
institution is out of all debt, the total stock held amounting to
$289,900.

MODERN ACTORS.

The great comic actor Jefferson was the delight of the visitors
of the (late) Chestnut Street Theatre sixty years ago. Manv who
had seen Munden, Listen, and all the great comedians of that day
said that Jefferson excelled them all. He had a son — known as
J. Jefferson — who was of no great excellence, taking such parts
as Rosencrantz in Hamlet. The audiences M^ere so accustomed to
laugh when the elder Jefferson appeared that they thus greeted
him when he appeared in parts that were not comic, such as
Polonius. The present Joseph Jefferson is the son of Joseph
Jefferson, who was the son of the original Joseph Jefferson, who
was the first actor of that name who came to this country. He
came to the United States in 1796, and was a leading member
of the old Chestnut Street Theatre company for nearly thirty
years. His son, Joseph Jefferson the second, was really an artist
and scene-painter, and of more ability in that line than as an
actor ; but his wife, known to old theatre-goers as ]\[rs. Burke,
who was a widow when she married Joseph Jefferson the second,
was a lady of exceedingly fine talent, and was a great favorite.
There are many of our older citizens who recollect Charles Burke,
the comedian, who was half-brother of the present "Rip Van
Winkle " Jefferson, and who Avas one of the best comic actors on
our stage. The present Joseph Jefferson (Rip Van Winkle) is
the third of the name. Temperance ILill, in Xorth Third street
below Green, was bought by the temperance people to j)urifv it.
It had previously been known as the Northern Exchange, and
M^as a flash sort of drinking-house, kept by John Vasey. Con-
certs had been given there occasionally, and in October, 1834,

Theatres. .377

Joseph Jefferson — father of the present Joseph Jefferson — fitted
up the grand saloon of the second floor as a theatre. It was
used as such for two or three months, but proved to be a faihire.
Daring that time, and afterward, concerts were given there.

John Drew. — He first made liis appearance at the old Chestnut
Street Theatre, under Quinlan's management, in 1852 ; went to
the Arch, with Wheatley, in 1853; went to England in 1855;
was abroad travelling until the latter part of the year. Mrs.
Louisa Drew says : " Mr. John Drew acted at the Walnut Street
Theatre (Mr. Marshall then being manager) in November, 1855,
immediately upon his return from a visit to England and Ire-
land. He took the National Theatre on Walnut street, and
opened it May 16th, 1857, producing then the Naiad Queen, With.
Joseph Jefferson, George Boniface, Tlieodore Hamilton, Edwin
Adams, and Mary Devlin (afterward Mrs. Edwin Booth). The
tiieatre was unsuccessful, and closed August 8th, 1857, Mr. Drew
having lost all his property in the venture. Mr. Drew and ray-
self acted at the Walnut Street Tiieatre, under the management
of Mrs. D. P. Bowers, either late in 1857 or early in 1858 ; and
Mr. Drew played a farewell engagement there previous to his
departure for California and Australia in the latter part of No-
vember, 1858, Mrs. Garretson then being lessee. He reappeared
at this theatre (Arch Street) on the 13th of January, 1862, played
one hundred nights, and died on the 21st of May, 1862," Mrs.
John Drew appeared as a prodigy in Washington, D. C, during
Pres. Jackson's administration. Her name then was Louisa Lane.

Junius Brutus Booth. — A contributor (L. A. G.) says : " In the
story of the elder Booth's ' double ' there is no truth. When
Booth arrived in this city to fill an engagement, he was imme-
diately put in charge of William Ford, a tall man, who was a
retired constable, whose business it was to deliver Booth at the
stage-door every afternoon in time to dress for his part in the
evening; and he was often thus delivered at the stage-door of the
old Walnut. Bill Ford and Booth generally were very drunk.
At one time his guardian was George Clopp, also an ex- constable,
and at one time keeper of the Lamb Tavern, on the road to the
Falls of Schuylkill. Nor was the ' double ' responsible for ' many
of the drunken and eccentric acts ' of the elder Booth, as it is a
well-known fact he needed no assistance in them. The 'double'
of Booth was a young man by the name of Delarue, who made
his first appearance on the stage at the Chestnut Street Theatre
(Old Drury) in 1827 as Sylvester Daggerwood, in which he gave
imitations of actors with a fidelity the most remarkable. The
most striking, however, was that of Junius Brutus Booth. De-
larue was the living picture of this great actor in size, features,
voice, and action. Scandal had given a probable cause for such
a resemblance. He occasionally enacted one act of Richard III.
in imitation of Booth with an accuracy that was wonderful; hence

32*

378 Annals of Philadelphia.

the idea of 'a double,' He was eccentric and erratic — in fact,
flighty. Had his mind been as Well balanced as were his powers
of imitation, he would have been an actor of no common order."
The following from Kees's Life of Edwin Forrest may not be
without interest in connection with the subject :

" On another occasion, in company with several gentlemen,
Forrest visited the Castle of St. Angelo. Originally it was called
the Mausoleum of Hadrian, a rounded pyramid of white marble.
For a wiiile they stood entranced — so much to see, so much to
admire and comment upon. All around them were the traces of
former greatness. Rome, M'ith its majestic ruins — Home, in the
solemn grandeur of its churches and palaces — Rome, with its end-
less treasures — Rome, M'ith its church of St. Peter's, built at the
expense of the whole Roman world — Rome, the glory of modern
architecture — loomed up before them ! The Pantheon, the most
splendid edifice of ancient Rome — the Vatican, the palace of the
pope, — all these were more or less visible to the eye as they stood
gazing in wonder and awe. In one of the pauses of their con-
versation a voice came up from behind a ruined column bearing
upon its surface the impress of ages, saying, ' Mr. Forrest ! have
you been to see the ruins of the Coliseum ?' Forrest turned
round at these w'ords to see from whom they proceeded. There,
lying at full length on another pillar, was a young man whom
none of the party knew. He went on : ' It is a splendid ruin,
sir ! They say it held one hundred thousand people.' ' You
know me, it seems ?' said Forrest. ' Know you ? Why, cer-
tainly ! Don't you remember Delarue? I played Richard III.
at the Walnut Street Theatre in imitation of Mr. Booth.' ' What !
you here? Get up, man ! and let me have a good look at you.'
Up jumped the eccentric individual; and as he stood before the
group he a]>])eared a fac-simile of the great tragedian he could
imitate so admirably."

" The last heard of Delarue was in the year 1852. He was
then living in New York." Junius Brutus Booth died on board
the steamer J. S. Chenoweth on the Mississij)pi River November,
1852. We saw him perform in this city at the Athenanun, after-
ward Barnum's Museum, corner of Seventh and Chestnut streets,
in 1851. A few days afterward (in January, 1852) lie })layed his
last engagement in this city at the old Chestnut Street Theatre to
a " beggarly account of empty boxes."

John May, the celebrated clown, was born in Cherry Valley,
Otsego county, New York, May 7th, 1816. He was struck on
the head out West by a stone, from the effects of which lie became
insane. He died in the insane department of the Blockley Alms-
house June 12th, 1854.

The theatrical biograpliical dictionaries say that INIrs. Alexina
Fisher Baker was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1822, and
made her debut at the Chatham Theatre, New Y^ork, October

Theatres. 379

nth, 1824, as Cora's daughter in Pizarro. She made her first
appearance in this city in September, 1831. She played the parts
of boys and young misses. She played leading business at the
Park Theatre when only fourteen years of age.

Uncle ToTni's Cabin -was brought out at the National Theatre,
Walnut street, near Eighth, by S. E. Harris (Wesley Bannore),
for the first time in this city, on September 8th, 1853 — Uncle
Tom, S. E. Harris ; Topsy, Mrs. Jerry Merrifield, formerly Miss
Rose Cline ; Eva, Miss Clara Reed ; St. Clair, Mr. White ; Phineas
Fletcher, Mr. Ryan ; George Harris, Mr. Fanning. It was played
until the 31st of October, when the season closed. The same
piece was brought out at the Chestnut Street Theatre, under the
Quinlan management, some time afterward. There was a story
pul)lished in the newspapers to the effect that some old negro, who
claimed to be the original of Uncle Tom in Mrs. Stowe's novel,
M^as travelling through England, making as much money as he
could under false pretences. As the character was fictitious —
made up partly from imagination, and also perhaps from observa-
tion of some pious old negro whom Mrs. Stowe may have known
— it is not ])robable that there was an original. Lotta played
Topsy, in tincle Tom's Cabin, at the Walnut Street Theatre
three years ago. The street-corner posters announcing this per-
formance bore in large letters the word " Topsy," and contained
no reference at all to the name of the drama.

Madame Janauschek made her first aj)pearance in Philadelphia
in the German language at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Decem-
ber 18th, 1867, in Grillparzer's German tragedy of Medea. She
first ap})eared in an English-speaking part at the same theatre,
October 31st, 1870, as Marie Stuart.

Conrad's play of The Heretic was first brought out at the Arch
Street Theatre, thus :

"FIRST NIGHT OF

"EDWIN ADAMS,

who will produce, for the first time on any stage, a new play,
written by the late Judge Conrad especially for Edwin Forrest,
Esq., entitled

"THE HERETIC.

To be presented this (Monday) evening, April 13th, 1863, with
the following superior cast:

Adrian de Teligny, the Huguenot, . . . Edwin Adams.
Eleanor de Teligny, wife of Adrian, . . Mrs, John Drew."

Mr. Adams afterward performed this play under the title of
The Huguenot Captain. Afterward it was jierformed at the Arch
Street Theatre on the night of November 27, 1863. Mrs. Bowers
sustained the character of Miriam.

The Original Jim Croio. — Thomas D. Rice — the original " Jim

380 Annals of Philadelphia.

Crow Elce" — was born in New York on May 20th, 1808, and
died in the same city, from paralysis, September 19th, 1860.

Tlie Introduction of Negro Mimtrehy in this City. — Stickney
sang "Backside Albany stan's Lake Champhiin" at the Wahiut
Street Theatre during the management of the Chapmans. He
M-as dressed in the conventional sailor style, with stick and bundle
on his shoulder, and his face blacked. During the performances
on this occasion the actors wore tri-colored badges, and the act-
resses were profusely adorned with sashes of similar colors. There
had been a military ]>arade during the day, and soldiers were
present, and there had been a grand demonstration in honor of
the success of the French Revolution in 1830. The next was
Leicester at the same theatre, whose specialties were " Brudder,
let us leabe Buckra Land for Hayti" and " Settin' on a Rail,"
and not long after came the great Rice with his " Jim Crow."
Both performers carried their specialties to England, and the
career of Rice is well known, but nothing was afterward heard
of Leicester. About 1845-46 the Virginia Serenaders gave a
series of concerts in the lower hall of the Philadelphia Museum,
on Ninth street below Chestnut. This room was built for the
reception of Dunn's collection of Chinese curiosities, and Mas
known as the Chinese Museum. It was in this room and M'ith
this band of minstrels that Jim Sanford introduced the song of
"Carry me Back to Old Virginny." Belonging to this band was
Winnemore, a good singer of fine personal appearance, and who
did such speaking as was necessary. This was the second negro-
minstrel troupe in Philadelphia ; S. S. Sanford's was the first.

Concerts were given at the Philadelphia Museum after it was
opened, about 1839 or 1840, by Shaw, Watson, and others. The
Shaw sisters — Mary, now Mrs. Hoey ; Rosina, now Mrs. Watkins;
and Josephine, afterward Mrs. Fogg — sang there. A minstrel
concert was given in the old Masonic Hall Theatre by Collins's
New Orleans Serenaders in 1846. There was negro singing by
solo performers long before that. One of the pioneers in this
business was William Kelly of the Northern Liberties. He sang
at Fogg & Stickney's Washington Amphitheatre and Circus, Old
York road above Buttonwood, as early as 1829 or 1830.

Custom- Houses, p. 474. — John Bewly Avas collector in 1704;
John Moore in 1806. The custom-house was in Ross's buildings
in 1800; George Latimer M-as collector, and John Graff dei)uty.
The custom-house built by the government stood on Second street
below Dock, west side. The first story of the building was mar-
ble, rusticated, a door in the centre, ascended by steps in form of
a truncated pyramid. There was a blind window or window-re-
cess on each side of the door, filled in with marble. The upper
part of the building was of brick, the gable was toward the street.
Near the roof M'as a niche in which was the statue of Commerce.

Banlcs. 381

There were three windows with circular heads. The statue was
above all the windows and near the roof.

The government bought the marble building, formerly the
Bank of the United States, in Chestnut above Fourth, in 1848,
for $270,000.

BANKS.

The first notice Ave have of an application for a bank charter
is on the 7th of 12th month, ] 688-9. At " a council in the Coun-
cil-Room," Gov. Blackwell presiding, " The petition of Robert
Turner, John Tissic, Thomas Budd, Robert Ewer, Samuel Car-
penter, and John Fuller was read, setting forth their design of
setting up a Bank for Money ; and requesting encouragement
from the governor and Council for their proceeding therein.

" The governor acquainted them that some things of that na-
ture had been proposed and dedicated to the Proprietor (Penn)
by himself, out of New England, to which he believed that he
should receive his answer by the first shipping hither out of
England. Yet withall acquainting them that he did know no
reason why they might not give their personal bills to such as
would take them as money, to pass, as merchants usually did
bills of exchange." He adds : " It might be suspected that such
as usually clipped or coined money would be apt to counterfeit
their bills, unless more than ordinary care were taken to prevent
it."

THE FIRST BANK IN THE UNITED STATES.

P. 475. — The plan of the Bank of Pennsylvania, established
for supplying the army of the United States with provisions for
two months, originated with Robert Morris and a few other pa-
triotic gentlemen, who lent their credit in the form of bonds, as
is given below. Each bound himself for the payment thereof if
necessary to fulfil the engagements and discharge the notes and
contracts of the bank. These securities were to be extended to
£300,000, Pennsylvania currency, in specie, at the rate of 7s. 6d.
for a Spanish dollar.

Two directors were to be chosen to conduct a regular banking
business. They were authorized to borrow money on the credit
of the bank for six months or less, and to grant special notes
bearing interest at six per cent, to the lenders. Congress was to
reimburse them from time to time for sums advanced. If money
did not come in fast enough, the bond-issuers were to lend a pi'o-
portionate sum of their subscriptions in cash.

The directors were to apply all moneys borrowed and received
from Congress to the sole purposes of })urchasing provisions and
rum for the use of the Continental army, to transportation, and

382 Annals of Philadelphia.

to discharging their notes and expenses. The sureties were to
choose a factor to make the purchases. Ten per cent, in cash
was required from the loaners to start the bank. Notes were to
be issued for payments as fast and as much as would be taken by
their creditors. When Congress shoukl reimburse the bank the
notes were to be paid off and cancelled, accounts settled, and the
bank wound up.

The articles mostly expected to be purchased Avere flour, beef,
pork, sugar, coffee, salt, and other goods, and three hundred hogs-
heads of rum. Three million rations to be sent at once to Trenton,
to the order of the commander-in-chief.

The directors, factor, and others employed were to be allowed
compensation by Congress, but none of them meant to derive the
least pecuniary advantage at that present time; nor do we know
that they ever did receive a penny for their services, invaluable at
the time.

The inspectors of the bank were — Robert INIorris, J. ]\I. Xes-
bitt, Blair McClenachan, Samuel ^liles, Cadwaladcr Morris;
directors, John Nixon, George Clymer ; factor. Tench Francis.

The heading of the subscription paper was :

''Whereas, in the present situation of public affairs in the
United States the greatest and most vigorous exertions are re-
quired for the successful management of the just and necessary
W'ar in M'hich they are engaged with Great Britain ; We, the sub-
scribers, deeply impressed with the sentiments that on such an
occasion should govern us in the prosecution of a war on the
event of which our own freedom and that of our posterity, and
the freedom and independence of the United States, are all in-
volved, hereby severally pledge our property and credit for the
several sums specified and mentioned after our names, in order to
support the credit of a bank to be established for furnishing a
supply of provisions for the armies of the United States, and we
do hereby severally promise and engage to execute to the directors
of the said banks bonds of the form hereunto annexed.

" Witness our hands this 17th day of June, in the year of our
Lord, 1780."

Here follow 92 names for various sums — 2 for £10,000, 1 for
£6000, 1 for £5500, 26 for £5000, 9 for £4000, 5 for £3000, 1
for £2500, 38 for £2000, and 9 for £1000; total, £300,000.
Of the whole number, but two were living in 1828 — William
Plall and John Donaldson.

The bank opened July 17, 1780, in Front street, two doors
above Walnut. Hours, 9 to 12 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. The ad-
vertisement read :

"All persons who have already lent money are desired to ap-
ply for baidc-notes ; and the Directors request the favour of those
who may hereafter lodge their Cash in the Bank that they would
tie U up in bundles of bills of one den<imination, with labels, and

Banh. 383

their names endorsed, as the business will thereby be done with
less trouble and much greater despatch."

The tenth and last instalment was called in on the 15th No-
vember, 1780.

The bank continued in operation till the establishment of the
Bank of North America in 1781, the first incorporated bank of
the United States. In May of that year Kobert Morris, then
Superintendent of Finance, submitted to Congress "A Plan for
estabUshing a National Bank for the United States of North
America," and on the 31st of December it was incorporated, and
chartered by the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1782, was repealed
in 1785, and rechartered in 1787. Owing to its being the first
bank, it was allowed to retain its original title, without the prefix
of "National," when the National Banking Act of Feb. 25,
1863, went into operation.

I have the original bond given by Richard Peters, and it reads
as followfj :

'' Know all men by these Presents, That T, Richard Peters,
Esq., of the city of Philadelphia, am held and firmly bound to
George Clymer and John Nixon, Directors of the Bank of Penn-
sylvania, in Ten Thousand Pounds, Lawful Money of Pennsyl-
vania, to be paid in Silver or Gold to the said George Clymer
and John Nixon, or their Attorney, Executors, Administrators,
or Assigns ; for which payment well and truly to be made, I
bind Myself, my Heirs, Executors, and Administrators, firmly
by these Presents. Sealed with my seal, on this Twenty-Second
day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hun-
dred and eighty.

" Whereas, the above-bounden Richard Peters hath by an In-
strument of Writing, bearing date the seventeenth day of tliis
present month of June, subscribed and pledged his Property
and Credit for the sum of Five Thousand Pounds in Specie, in
order to su])port the credit of a Bank, to be established for fur-
nishing a supply of provisions for the Armies of the United
States; Now, the condition of this obligation is such, that if the
said Richard Peters, his Heirs, Executors, or Administrators,
shall pay such sums of money, not amounting in the whole to
more than the aforesaid sum of Five Thousand Pounds, as the
Inspectors or Directors of the Bank of Pennsylvania shall from
time to time demand, then this Obligation shall be void and of
none effect, or else shall be and remain of full force and
virtue.

"Richard Peters.

" Sealed and Delivered
in the presence of

"WiLLM. Grayson,
"Tim. Pickering."

384 Annals of Philadelphia.

This bond is endorsed on the back in the handwriting of Judge
Peters :

"This Bond Avas given by me, among others, to establish a
Fund for the first Bank in the United States — tiie Bank of
North America, and which was set agoing on private credits by
a Multiplication of sucli Securities.

"E. P.''

P. 475. — The Bank of North America removed their old
building and replaced it with another in 1849.

P. 476. — "The stately marble bank" was bought at its failure
by the United States, and was pulled down, with a view of erect-
ing a post-office on the site, in 1857. But the opposition of the
citizens was so great that it was finally decided to change the
location, and the building Avas erected, as it now is, for the
apjiraisers' offices and stores. The bank, in the mean Avhile,
built a massive granite building on Chestnut street above Fourth,
but before it was completed its disastrous failure took ])lace, and
the building was finally sold to and completed by the Phila-
delphia Bank, which then moved over from the opposite corner
of Fourth and Chestnut streets.

The Philadelphia Bank originally (in 1805) occupied a square
Gothic brick rough-cast building, with the centre portion elevated
higher than the sides, which stood back from the corner of Fourth
and Chestnut streets, with the entrance by a flight of marble steps
on Fourth street — 65 feet front on Fourth street and 50 feet in
depth on Chestnut. It "was surrounded by a garden, and shaded
by trees, shrubbery, and flowers, and enclosed with an iron rail-
ing mounted upon a wall. In 1836 it was removed to give place
to the present building on its site, which Avas occupied in the second
story by the Philadelphia Bank till its removal to the granite
building opposite. The Commonwealth Bank then occupied the
lower story till its removal in 1876 to the south-west corner of
Fourth and Walnut streets.

Fraudulent Issue of Stock. — It was decided in the Schuyler
case (New York) and a long line of others following it that a
company was bound to make good the certificate of its officers
under the corporate seal, so that the result was as long as it was
broad. This has been the law and the practice in this State and
elsewhere ever since.

One of the first cases of that kind about here was that of Hosea
J. Levis, the cashier of the old Schuylkill Bank, which stood in
1839 at the corner of Sixth and Market streets. The Schuylkill
Bank Avas the transfer agent of the ]3ank of Kentucky, and
Levis, as the cashier of the former, made an over-issue of
$1,300,000 ; and this very question arose then, and there was a
great legal battle over it before Judge Edward King. It was in
this case that the first bill in equity Avas filed in this county, and

Banks. 385

/
it was from the able opinion read by Judge King in that contro-
versy (1 Parson's Equity) that he got the foundation for his great
fame as an equity lawyer. The next great fraud of this kind
was that of Schuyler. The next we had in this city was that of
the Race and Vine Streets road in 1860, when Martin Thomas
was president. Then there was an over-issue of about $150,000.
This stock was recognized under the same reasoning. Then came
another case which excited Third street very much. This was
the misuse of stock of the estate of the late Charles S. Wood by
the acting executor, George R. Wood. This executor had been
speculating largely on Third street, and had left the certificates
still standing in the name of the testator. These, with blank
powers of attorney, he had put into the hands of his brokers, and
other brokers advanced money on these certificates of stock. The
estate filed a bill in equity to restrain the transfer of the stock so
fraudulently used, and praying for their deliv^ery. Judge Paxson
granted the injunction, but the Supreme Court, on appeal, set
aside the injunction. The case of S. Gross Fry, president of the
Darby road, and his over-issue of some $90,000, are also fresh
in the memory of men ; and, still later, the discovery, in the
summer of 1877, of the issue of stock of the West Philadelphia
Passenger Railway by John S. Morton, its president, to the ex-
tent of 12,000 shares. That stock w^ill also be recognized. So
that it is now settled law that a certificate of stock under the seal
of the corporation, attested by its officers, when passed into inno-
cent hands will carry a good title, though it may have been issued
in fraud.

How often the Banks Suspended Specie Payments. — In the first
place, it is well to notice the emission of Continental money,
which was something like our greenback currency, put out with-
out the means of redemption, and in the expectation that, if the
Revolution was successful, the country would be in a condition,
after the war had ended, to gradually redeem that currency. The
first emission of Continental currency was made May 10th, 1775,
the notes not being in actual circulation, however, until the fol-
lowing August. Altogether, there were issued, between 1776 and
1781, of what was called the old emission, $357,476,541.45.
There were issued of the new emission, $2,070,485.80. In round
iiumbers, the Continental money issued was over $358,000,000.
During the years 1775-76 this money was at par, but by the be-
ginning of January, 1777, the faith of the people in its redemp"
tion began to weaken, and it was at one and a quarter per cent.,
discount; in January, 1778, four per cent.; in January, 1779,,
from seven to nine per cent.; in January, 1780, from forty to
forty-five per cent. ; in January, 1781, one hundred per cent. ; and
in May following, from two hundred to five hundred per cent..
By June the paper money had ceased to circulate, and was bought
up at prices ranging from 400 for 1 to 1000 for 1. The Bank

Vol. III.— Z 33

386 Annals of Philadelphia.

of North America went into operation in 1782, and from tliat
time, during the brief remainder of the Revohition and under
the Confederation, the notes of that bank and of the banks of
Massachusetts and New York, and specie, were the only currency
of the country. After the Federal government was formed State
banks began to multiply. Between that time and 1812-1813
one hundred and nineteen banks had been set uj) in the United
States, with a caj)ital of about $77,000,000. The first suspension
of specie payments took place on the 1st of September, 1814, and
was general throughout the United States. The second Bank of
the United States M'as opened at Philadelphia in January, 1817.
It commenced to pay specie immediately. The result was that
the shinplaster currency which had been in circulation before that
time was forced to redem])tion. The local banks were careful to
issue as few of their notes as possible, but nominally they were
com])elled to redeem them by the influence of the United States
Bank. From 1817 to 1837 there was no suspension of specie
payments. On the 10th of May, 1837, the banks suspended
specie payments, and the city and district corporations issued cer-
tificates of loans called " shin])lasters." The suspension continued
for over a year. In New York the banks nominally resumed
about January, 1838 — the Philadelphia banks, however, declar-
ing that they were not ready to do so. In July, 1838, Governor
Pitner issued a proclamation, m which lie said that the banks, by
suspending specie payments, had violated their charters ; and he
ordered them to resume on the 13th of Aufjust following. Tender
the pressure of the official menace the Philadelphia banks resumed
specie payments, and continued for over thirteen months. On
the 9th of October, 1839, they again suspended. They Avere
driven into a new resumption on the 15tli of January, 1841. This
was but a spurt, and did not last three weeks. On the 4th of
February the Bank of the United States failed (Thomas Dunlap
being president), and all the other Philadelphia banks suspended
again. The Schuylkill Bank, at the south-east corner of Sixth
and Market streets, failed absolutely on the 17th of December
of the same year, on account of the ov^er-issue of stock by its
cashier, Hosea J. Levis. It endeavored to continue business, but
finally gave up entirely. John P. AVetherill was president in
1844, trying to save the assets. There was no general day of
resumption after this. As soon as the community had recovered
from the shock caused by the failure of " the monster," the city
banks commenced to pay out specie in small sums. The resump-
tion was gradual, and continued several years. Meanwhile, there
was a great issue of bank-{)ai)er, large speculations, and over-
importations, until the 21st of September, 1857, when, in conse-
quence of the failure of the Bank of Pennsylvania, the other Phil-
adelphia banks suspended specie })ayments, and the suspension
became general throughout the country. After this, resumption

Banks. 387

came on gradually, without being assigned to a particular day for
its commencement. It continued until November 22d, 18G0,
when, in consequence of the threatening condition of the country,
resulting from the secession movements in the South, the banks
again suspended. There was another resumption during the suc-
ceeding year, but on December 30th, 1861, there was a new sus-
pension, in which our banks followed the example of the New
York banks. Although there have been occasional instances of
the payment of small notes in specie since that time, there has
been no regular resumption since 1862. The government has
issued greenbacks, and the banks have redeemed their notes in
greenbacks. After the passage of the National Banking Law
the State banks may be said to have suspended altogether, re-
deeming their notes in greenbacks and in their own notes issued
under the banking laws. Within a year the accumulation of
silver and the scarcity of small notes have brought that metal into
circulation, because, in point of value, it is worth less than the
greenback promises of the government.

Panics. — The charter of the old United States Bank expired on
the 4th of March, 1836 ; it was chartered during the Presidency
of Madison. When it was chartered by the Legislature of our
State, in 1836, as a State institution, Mr. Biddle resigned the
presidency of the old bank to take charge of the new one, the
late Matthew L. Bevan being elected to the presidency of the old
United States Bank. Mr. Biddle resigned the presidency of the
State bank in the spring of 1839, and then the downfall of the
bank commenced. Mr. Dunlap was elected to the presidency,
and remained till its failure in February, 1841. Nicholas Biddle
was president of the national bank from 1823 to 1836, and of the
United States Bank of Pennsylvania from 1836 to 1839. The
second Bank of the United States — chartered by Congress — did
not fail during its chartered term. But that bank became, by a
law of Pennsylvania, a State bank. The stock, property, and
assets of the old bank were turned over to the new institution.
The latter, when it failed, was in substance the old bank con-
tinued, and it is common to speak of it as the United States
Bank. Nicholas Biddle was not president of the bank at the
time of its failure.

The first panic was in May, 1837, when the banks all sus-
pended specie payments and the first issue of "shinplasters" by
the various district commissioners took place. It was a fearful
crisis, and is no doubt remembered by many of the present gene-
ration. Some of the first and oldest staunch mercantile houses
went down never to rise again, including such firms as Samuel
Comly, Jackson, Riddle & Co., R. & I. Phillips & Co. (bankers),
and many others of importance at that time. In the spring of
1841 there was another commercial calamity. Such houses as
Pope «& Aspinwall, John Brock, Sons & Co., and others of im-

388 Annals of Philadelphia.

portance also wQwi down. There was no panic after the wai of
1812. Tliere was a dei)rossion of lousiness, which increased from
1812 or 1813 up to 1819 or 1820. Si)ecie payments were sus-
pended in August and September, 1814, and from that time for
many years paper money and a shinplaster circulation formetl the
money circulation — notes being put out for as small sums as six
and a quarter cents. The Mexican war took place in 1846-48,
and tliere was no panic during that period or for some time after-
ward. In fact, gold was more ])lentiful then than it ever was
before or has been since. There Avere panics in 1857 and in 1873.

The Presbyterian Chnrch, corner of Coates and Second streets
(p. 481), was erected in 180-. My father was then in the count-
ing-house of Robert Ralston, mIio was the chief instrument in
having it built. My fatiier collected most of the money sub-
scribed toward it, and most of the pew-rents. It ^yas opened by
a sermon from Dr. Green. It was at first in connection with the
Second Presbyterian Church, whose ministers. Dr. Sproat, Dr.
Green, and afterward Dr. Janeway, preached alternately in the
" Campington Church," and then in this till Rev. Mr. Patterson
was called as its pastor. This house was sold and pulled down
to make place for the stores now standing on the old site, the
congregation having built the new church on Redwood street,
where Mr. Patterson preached, died, and is buried — in front
of it.

Coates^s Burial-ground, p. 482. — In the year 1746, William
Coates owned two hundred and fifty-six acres of land in one
body, and appropriated a small portion of the tract as a place
of deposit of the mortal remains of his immediate family and
their descendants. " The spot chosen for the graveyard was
well secluded from the gaze of men, being surroimded with
hickory woods on either side, and hence the primitive name of
Coates street, which was the southern boundary of the original
plot, was Hickory lane, as may be seen by inspecting deeds on
record. William Coates and wife were the first to occujn- the
spot, and their immediate posterity" "for several generations."
Although William Coates gave the whole area of Brown street
to the public as a gratuity, his burial-ground was made the sub-
ject of so many county charges that it was levied on by the
sheriff' and ordered to be sold for the debt. " The property
finally, under order of the court, M'as sold for over $12,000,
although its full value in 1746 was not probably §50." "After
paying tlie debt tiie proceeds were divided among the heirs of the
I)ro])rietor, so as to leave S2000 to erect a monument over the re-
mains of Coates and his wife." The remains have been removed
and houses erected, so that the " thousands who jiass along Third
and Brown streets will be as ignorant of Coates 's burying-ground
as if it had never been." Some soldiers were buried here during

South End, etc. 389

the Revolution wlio died of small-pox, etc., which accounts for
military buttons being occasionally found here.

South End, p. 483. — The planting; of cannon along the streets
near the wharves has been a custom in this country from the time
whereof "the memory of man runneth not to the contrary." Vile
presume there is no person, howev^er old, in Philadelphia who does
not remember the cannon along the wharves from his earliest child-
hood. We have seen views of the Delaware front taken before 1 790
in which cannon are plainly visible. They were probably used
in merchant-ships and privateers during the Revolution, the war
of 1812, and afterward. They were sold as old iron, and, being
less destructible than wooden posts, were sold to City Councils
and to the district commissioners, and placed where they now are,

Anthony Cuthbert (p. 484), now dead many years. His son
Allen, Avho was living in 1856, had a silver cup which was for-
merly fastened by a ciiain to a pump up town, which belonged to
the Wilkins family to which he was connected, and has descended
down to him through about two hundred years, having the names
of all the parties through whom it descended to him engraved on
it. He had also the balance-wheel of Fitch's steam engine. He
owned a portion of the wharves between Lombard and South,
where were once his father's, JMcCall's, and other ship-yards.

Western Commons, p. 485. — Fifty years ago tliere was a small
market-house on Broad street, extending from the north side of
Chestnut street to Centre Square. It was known as the " Sunday
Market," and was used for the sale of provisions on the morn-
ing of that day until eight o'clock. On the west side of Broad
street were six or eight dwellings, which have since been taken
down or altered. They were at that time principally occupietl
by Irish hand-loom check-weavers. Porter, who was hung on
Bush Hill for being concerned in robbing the Kenderton and
Reading mail-coaches, at one time boarded and worked at that
business in one of them. Mr. Frederick Helmbold kept a hotel
and a public horse-market — where a horse could be purchased
from one dollar to a thousand dollars — at the south-east corner
of Market street and Centre Square. The old Tivoli Theatre
was on the 0]jposite side of Market street, about where the Golden
Horse Tavern now is. The Bolivar House or Garden was at the
north-west corner of the square and Market street. The build-
ings were at the back end of a grass-plot, toward Filbert street,
extending to Schuylkill Eighth (now Fifteenth) street. The lot
was surrounded by Lombardy poplar trees. It was quite a resort
for nine-pin, shuffle-board, and quoit players. It was kept by a
Mr. Evans. The old Centre building was used as a watch-house
and as a depot for oil burned in the street-lamps. When the
building Avas taken down in 1828, a portion of the old marble in
it was re-dressed, and was used in erecting the front of the Uni-
tarian Church, corner of Tenth and Locust streets.

33*

390 Annals of Philadelphia.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF THE CITY.

A contributor to the Sundai/ Dispatch wrote as follows about
Moyamensing :

How well I remember the long, dusty walk, fifty years ago —
about the year 1830 — over the unpaved streets, past the old
Almshouse, wiiich occupied the whole square between Tenth and
Eleventh and Spruce and Pine streets ! How often have I
peeped through a knot-hole in the old whitewashed fence to see
the living curiosity of those days — an " idiot with a horse's
head"! Then down Eleventh, by the "Black Lodge" — a
building below Pine street celebrated for holding grand balls and
parties for ladies and gentlemen not considered by any means
respectable — to Lombard street, where I looked at the city car-
penter-shops. They were upon the south side of that street, on
a lot running from Tenth to Eleventh street, and they occuj)ied
in depth at least one-third of the square to South street. The
remainder of the square was enclosed with a low, dilapidated
board fence. Adjoining the carpenter-shop there was an old
Avhitewashed frame stable, which was opposite Johnson's ink-
factorv. There Avas an ohl graveyard on the south side of Lom-
bard street, which extended from Ninth to Tenth street. Here
the skulls and bones of the dead were kicked about the street
during the process of digging cellars for a row of houses after-
ward built upon the lot. I remember that an old man happened
to be passing at the time, and he said to the laborers, "Some
years ago an aged Revolutionary hero died in the poor-house and
was buried with the honors of war. His grave was just about
where you are digging; I shall wait and see you remove it." In
a few moments a coffin was exposed. "That's it! that's it !" said
the old gentleman ; and the lid was removed, but no soldier was
to be seen. The coffin contained two logs of wood. " Well !
well!" said the old man, "this is the way we are taxed to
bury wood. What Avickedncss! what M'ickedness !" And he
})assed on.

On the south-east corner of Tenth street and the first little
street below Lombard there stood an oltl whitewashed two-story
frame house. This was the schoolhouse of Billy O'Morrin. On
the north-east corner of South and Tenth streets, there Avas a
double yellow frame tavern. On the opposite (south-east) corner
of South street, running thnmgli to Shippen, and occujiviiig one-
third of the square toward Ninth, was " Lel)anon." The South
street front, and Tenth street tor about one hundred feet to a

Fifty Years Ago. 391

shed, were enclosed by an open fence ; a row of elm trees was
inside, and another row was on the line of the curb on Tenth
street. From this point to Shippen street there was a high board
fence, and large buttonwood trees were growing on both sides of
the road. The first building was a two-story brick, which stood
about eighteen feet back from the line of Tenth street. Attached
to it, on the same line on the south, there was a one-story frame
house, with a door that opened under the shed, which reached to
Tenth street, where there was a gateway opening on said street
op})osite to a pump. From this door in the frame house there
was another gate in the shed and a brick pavement five feet
wide, which led around to the front door of the brick house,
which was the main entrance of the hotel. On the east of this
brick house there was a two-story frame building, and another,
making the fourth, connecting all in one square building, with
communiciiting doors and staircases inside and out. On the east
side of this cluster of houses, near the northern line, a door
opened under a huge "candle tree," which shaded this part of
the yard. Behind this tree there was a high open fence, which
ran across some forty feet or more to a brick house three stories
high, built on the east line of the property, but facing the other
buildings. There was a large double gateway in the fence close
to the house on the east, which, when closed, separated the gar-
den from the front yard. This yard was used for stabling,
having sheds and posts for fastening horses. Attached to this
brick house there was a long row of sheds, composing a soup-
house, kitchen, wash-house, shuffle-board, and tenpin-alleys. In
the soup-house there ^vas a door which opened on a large vacant
lot, where the poor of the district of Moyamensing were supplied
through the winter season with soup, bread, and wood. The
flower-garden \vas back of the main buildings, between the row
of sheds and Tenth street. It consisted of two pieces of ground
neatly enclosed with a low, open i)aling fence. The gardens
were prettily laid out witli gravelled walks and beds of flowers.
Large clusters of lilacs, snowballs, and a variety of fruit trees
were growing there. Beyond these two little gardens there was
an open green space nicely shaded with white mulberry, a few
willows, and a row of high cherry trees. On the back end of
the lot, back of the tenpin-alley, there stood a famous old locust
tree, measuring twenty-four feet around the base

From the main entrance to the brick house (first referred to)
there was a gravelled walk five feet wide extending to the gate,
about fifty feet north, on South street, several plank steps above
the grade. Over this gate there was, forty years ago, a plain sign
— " Lebanon." Over the door in the brick house was a half-
circle sign. The letters were in gold, and the background was
painted blue sprinkled with glass dust. Twenty feet to the east
of the steps there was a large oak tree which stood on the foot-

392 Annals of Philadelphia.

way. It had attached to a limb, rcachins' out to the street, por-
tions of" an old — and no doubt the oriy-inal — si^n.

Leaving Lebanon and passing out the gate on Shippen street,
we noticed several blue frames on the opposite side of" that street,
and a little row of blue frames fronting on Ninth street near
Fitzwater. The other part of this square was enclosed with a
post-and-rail fence, where cattle were grazing. With the excep-
tion of a row of houses on Tenth street, this lot is now surround-
ed by the brick wall and iron railing which enclose Roiialdson's
Cemetery. On South street, between Tenth and Eleventh, south
side, al)out halfway between the two streets, there was also a little
row of frame houses, stabling, etc. One of these frames was the
" Wren's Xest." Over the doorway a square sign was nailed to
the house, upon which was a tolerably well-executed picture of a
wren perched on the top of a little house-like box, holding in its
bill a worm, Mhile a brood of young birds were stretching their
open mouths out of the doorway of the bird-house. This tavern
or shop was noted for selling cordials, sweetened wines, and beer
at one cent per glass. The other portion of this square, except
Jacob Sherman's carpenter-shop on Eleventh street, was partly
enclosed, and had upon it, near to Siiip})en street, a large, deep
pond of water, where the idle boys of the neighborhood floated
about on rafts in summer-time and skated in winter.

'Beyond Shippen street, extending from Tenth street west to
Thirteenth and south to Christian, was a small farm. A board
fence surrounded it. In the centre there stood a yellow frame
house, with outbuildings, cow-sheds, stables, a pump, and water-
troughs for cattle.

A crowd of fifty or one hundred persons once assembled near
a little one-story stone house surrounded by decayed apj)le trees
to the east of Tenth street, where Catharine street now crosses, to
witness two dirty negro wenches fight out an old quarrel. They
" stripped to the buff," having nothing on them but skirts tied
around their waists. They took their positions by the side of
their seconds (two negro men) inside of a ring comjiosed of
negroes and Irish, and began the battle. Such thumping,
scratching, and pulling were never surpassed. Several times
they separated, took long drinks of gin, and then returned to
their brutal work, until they cut and bit each other most fright-
fully, and until the blood was flowing from their many wounds.
Finally, they clenched and fell to the earth, tearing each other
like savages. One of them then, in an agonizing voice, cried,
" Elnough ! enough !" They were then lifted up and assisted bv
their friends to clothe themselves, after which they moved off*
toward their miserable dens in Small street. After witnessing
this horrid sight I crossed over the common to Tidmarsh (now
Car})enter) street. A whitewashed fence ran along the south side
from Eleventh street to beyond the line of Tenth. On the line

Fifty Years Ago. 393

of Tenth street there was a small open space and a gate, behind
which stood a small brick spring-house and an old-fashioned
pump. To the west a siiort distance, say twenty feet, there was
a large brick building surrounded with old pear trees, apple trees,
and other varieties of fruit, presenting a beautiful appearance.
This was the residence of Mr. John Githen, manufacturer of
worsted fringe and pompons for the army and navy of the
United States. In after years it was called " New Lebanon."
Below the line of Tenth street, on the north side of Tidmarsh
(Carpenter), were two neat yellow frames. One of them was oc-
cupied by " Old Field " the " resurrectionist," superintendent of
Potters' Field. In the shed attached to his stable were piles of
boards and broken coffins. The bodies having been sold, the
coffins were used for firewood.

Potters' Field took in one half of the square /"routing on Tid-
marsh street from Eleventh to Twelfth street. Thtre was a deep
ditch or stream of dirty water running down Thirteenth street,
which was crossed at Tidmarsh street by a plank bridge. From
this bridge I looked toward the city. I saw large flocks of crows
on the common, where all the old and worn-out horses were turned
out to die. The skeletons of many horses lay bleaching in the
sun, while lame horses were limping about, and others which had
but lately died were half devoured by dogs and crows.

It was on this conuiion that long rows of sheds, weatherboarded,
partitioned, and with a door to each compartment, were erected to
accommodate the miserable inmates of Small street and St. Mary
street with healthy summer residences during the great cholera
season of 1832. Small street and St. Mary street were cleaned out,
and fences were put across to prevent persons from going into them.
I shall never forget that grand moving-day. Oh what a sight!
— men, women, and children, black and white, barefooted, lame,
and blind, half-naked and dirty, carrying old stools, broken chairs,
thin-le";!J:ed tables, and bundles of beds and bedclothino- to their
summer retreat on the common !

But a few steps from the bridge, on Thirteenth street, running
through to Broad, was the back entrance of the old " Lagrange
Hotel." There was a gateway, and a gravel-walk six or eight
feet wide, with a row of old fruit trees on both sides, to a yellow
frame house surrounded with a porch, grapevines, summer-houses,
and a garden. From Broad street the house stood back some
twenty or thirty feet. Lilac bushes reached far above the open
fence, and the entrance was through a gateway. An arI)or, in
connection with numerous willow and other trees, made a dense
shade. On either side of the gravel- walk, back, there was a
beautiful field of grass, dotted here and there with an old apple
or pear tree. It was on these beautiful grounds that the archery
club of ladies and gentlemen frequently congregated in the sum-
mer season, with beautiful bows and arrows, and wearin<r long

394 Annah of Philadelphia.

white and yollow gloves, to amuse themselves shooting at a target
of black and white circles. And it was here also that cnjwds of
persons thronged to see a bear-fight. A large black bear, muz-
zled and chained to a tree, was encircled by a rope fence seventy
or eighty feet in diameter. The dogs were held by short cords
or bandana handkerchiefs, and their old-country masters were
allowed to remain within the ring. The fight (lid not amount
to much. The dogs could bite and the bear could hug, but seldom
was any blood shed. A few nips, a few hugs, a roll or two on
the grass, and plenty of growling and barking, and the battle
was ended.

Love lane (now Washington avenue) was but a few hundred
feet south. It was shaded on both sides with large sycamore
trees. On the north side, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets,
back of Potters' Field, there was a large square pit — a receptacle
for the filth of the city. To pass this magazine I held my nose
between the thumb and forefinger and ran for my life. From
Eleventh street, south side, there was a hedge, and a fence as far
down as Passyunk road. Parker's Garden ran across Tenth street.
In front of it there was a double row of linden trees, an open slat
fence, a hedge of evergreens, etc. The house was concealed by
vines, trees, and shrubbery. A puzzling garden, laid out with
narrow paths, edged with dwarf boxwood, twisting and turning
in all sorts of shapes, with beds of tulips, hyacinths, flags, and
other varieties of flowers and plants, tastefully arranged, made it
one of the most lovely s])ots near the city. A double box tree,
fifteen or twenty feet high, trimmed in squares, ovals, sjnres, etc.
— which he valued at five liundred dollars — was one of the great
curiosities of Parker's Garden.

On the opposite side of Love lane, back about two hundred
feet from it, there was a long rojiewalk, reaching from Tenth
street to Seventh street. Boys were turning large wheels, and
men were walking to and fro with their waists largely expanded
with flax, which gradually diminished while the cords were being
made under this long shed.

Turning uj) Passyunk road, and into Eighth street, the next
prominent building was Mrs. JNIazarin's (Smith's) private garden.
On the opposite side was the Rialto House, a sniall yellow frame
building with side-entrance back to the tenpin-alleys.

Along Eighth street one vacant lot succeeded another, with
intervening ponds of stagnant wat(T, reaching to South street.
Where the schoolhouse now stands at Eighth and Fitzwater
streets a huge sycamore tree stood, rising from the centre of a
pond. It was to this tree, on one St. Patrick's Day in the morn-
ing, that many sons of Erin Avaded knee-deep to pull down a jiair
of old trousers and a coat stuffed with straw, which made up the
effigy called in those days "a stuffed Paddy."

The next point of interest was at the south-west corner of

Fifty Years Ago. 395

Eighth and South streets, wliere was " the Willow Pond," a deep
pool of water — the termination of a ditch that ran across South
street near Ninth — with rows of willow trees on the edge of it,
near to which was the depository of street dirt, etc.

Pritchett's Garden took in all the lot from Ninth street to
Tenth street, and from South street to within a hundred feet of
Lombard street. Then, on the west side of Eighth street, half-
way to Pine street, was " Strahan's Garden." The house stood
back, and was shaded with large white mulberry and other trees.
Greeves & Andrews' board-yard was on the o])posite side, and ran
north from Lombard to Pine street. The lots between Seventh
and Eighth, Pine and Spruce, Eighth and Ninth, Pine and
Lombard streets (except above one hundred square feet appro-
priated to "Strahan's Garden"), and the lot from Ninth to Tenth
and from Spruce to Pine street, were neatly enclosed with open
fences, painted white. Within these beautiful green lots the cows
belonging to the Pennsylvania Hospital grazed and made their
milk. The door of entrance to the hospital was to the east of
the railing and the statue of William Penn. The dead-house
M'as to the west of the railing. On Ninth street there was a square
brick building, separate from the main building, with ])rominent
green blinds, to prevent the insane occupants from looking down
into the street. One of these upper rooms was inhabited by a vo-
calist. I have frequently stood under her window when the sun
was setting and listened to her sweet songs, which she sang one
after another till her voice died away like a dream. I have heard
that the late J. B. Booth was, while on a visit to the hospital,
exceedingly interested in her from hearing her sing, and he sup-
posed from her splendid voice that she must be beautiful. His
surprise and disaj)pointment on seeing the vocalist — whose homely
features and appearance bade Romance begone — can be better
imagined than described.

And here, at Ninth and Spruce streets, I rest from this journey,
which took me from this neighborhood in a circuit which was
wild and unimproved fifty years ago, but almost every foot of
which is now occupied by houses, churches, factories, and mills,
and cut through by streets where, when I was a boy, there were
fields, meadows, gardens, trees, and ponds. Laceoix.

The Nicholson Mansion. — The deserted-looking mansion at the
south-west corner of Tenth and Bainbridge streets has often attract-
ed attention. It was probably finished about the year 1837-38,
and was built for Thomas Nicholson. It was paid for with money
which he had stolen from his employer, Thomas Hewitt, sugar-
refiner, whose manufactory was in Zane street, west of Seventh.
Nicholson was clerk of Hewitt, and the latter was doing so
large a business that Nicholson was enabled to easily embezzle
considerable sums of money. He was finally detected, was

396 Annals of PhiladeJpliia.

prosecuted, and after conviction was sent to prison. By way
of restitution Hewitt became owner of this house, in wliich he
lived for many years, until the time of his death. It is a fine,
large house, and is greater in size than is necessary for the use of
an ordinary family. If it had been built on the western portion
of Chestnut, Walnut, or Spruce street, it would always have
been occupied. It is too big for the neighborhood in which it
is placed. After Hewitt's death it was used for some years as a
children's asylum.

Wains House, p. 486. — Built by AVilliam Wain, son of Xich-
olas Wain (?). This house Avas afterward ])urchased and occu-
pied by Dr. Swaim, the fortunate vendor of the famous Panacea.
He built several houses at the north-east corner of Seventh and
Sanson! streets (formerly George) streets, one of which was for
several years used as a bathing establisliment, then for a hotel.
The northern house was, and now is, the office for tiie sale of
the Panacea, The Wain building, afterward the Swaim mansion,
was j^ulled down and four stoi'es erected on its site. The u])per
part of these was occupied by Barnum for a museum for several
years. This was burned down from fire being communicated to
the scenery of the theatre portion of the museum on tiie evening
of Dec. 30, 1851, injuring very much the next building, owned
and occupied by George Harrison, and after his death by his
widow. Mr. Swaim erected three fine stores on the ruins of
Barnum's Museum with granite fronts, Avhich still stand. The
Harrison Mansion and lot fell into the hands of J. Francis
Fisher, who built three fine brownstone-front stores, extending
to Sanson! street. One of the stores, while occupied as Orne's
carpet store, was not long after destroyed by fire, and again re-
built. These two blocks of stores fill up tiie lots from Seventh
street to where Jones's Hotel was.

From the icest side of Fourth street, etc., p. 486. — There was a
row of buildings on the west side of Fifth street known as the
'' Fourteen Chimneys," which have been pulled down and re-
built, owned perhaps by Dr. Philip Mayer's congregation on
Pace street above Fifth.

Bush IlilJ, p. 487. — At Bush Hill, when digging foundations
for Macauley's oil-cloth factory in 1832, about thirty graves were
discovered. [Reg. Pa., ix. 240.) For some notice of Bush Hill
Hospital, see the Christian Observer, 1856. The Hamilton man-
sion was used as a hospital in 1793, during the yellow fever. The
estate was sold for $600,000 on speculation, but the buyers not
carrying out their agreements, they forfeited all they had ]iaid,
and it reverted to the Ilamiltons. It became a tavern, and was
burnt in 1808. Isaac Macauley used the walls for his oil-cloth
factory. It was finally torn down, and in 1875 the row of houses
on the north side of Buttonwood street between Seventeenth and

Old Fairmount and the Park. 397

Eighteenth was erected on its site. We remember Busli Hill as
an open common and hangman's ground.

OLD FAIRMOUNT AND THE PARK.

P. 488. — Fairmount was formerly called Quarry Hill. The
first waterworks of the city consisted of piimping-engines at Chest-
nut street, and a distributing-reservoir in a large circular tower
at Broad and Market streets, and were commenced in 1799, but
larger works were soon needed. In the report of Fredrick Graff
and John Davis, who were directed by the Water Committee in
1811 to examine the best modes of procuring water for the city,
they suggested " that water-power machinery could be erected
near to Morris Hill (Fairmount) to pump or elevate the neces-
sary water into reservoirs constructed on said hill." A stone
building was erected at the foot of Fairmount to ])ump by steam
machinery into the basin. The works were commenced August
1st, 1812, and started September 7th, 1815. James S. Lewis was
chairman of the Water Committee in 1817 and 1818. He saw
that by the erection of a dam at Fairmount the navigation of the
Schuylkill could be improved, and works could be erected to
tiirow water into the basins by water-power alone, thus saving
the expense of steam-works. Councils passed the resolution to
build the present works April 8th, 1819, Contracts were awarded
accordingly. The dam was finished in July, 1821. The first
M'heel and pump were put in operation July 1st, 1822. When
Fairmount was fully finished the Schuylkill works at the foot of
Chestnut street were abandoned. The Centre House was torn
down in the vear 1828. At the present time there are annually
about 15,000,000,000 gallons, or about 50,000,000 gallons per
day, supplied by the Fairmount, Delaware, Schuylkill, Belmont,
and Roxborough works, through about 700 miles of pipe.

It has been said goldfish were very abundant in the Schuylkill
about 1790, near Robert Morris's place — afterward Henry Pratt's
— called Lemon Hill. My father, who was in a counting-house
on the wharf from 1800 to 1806, said that captains of Dutch ves-
sels, or others coming from Holland, etc., used to bring goldfisii
in glass globes as curiosities ; and as Mr. Pratt was then exten-
sively engaged in business with those countries, it has appeared
])robable they may have been furnished to him at first by some
of these captains. He had no recollection of their being found
in the Schuylkill till after their escape, as he supposed, from Mr.
Pratt's ])ond.

The first ]iurchase made by the city of Philadelphia within the
bounds of Fairmount Park was in 1812, when the Fairmount
Hill and adjoining ground — five acres in all — were bought for

398 Annah of Philadelphia.

^\QfiQQ.QQ>. Other ground was bought at various times, so tliat
in 1828 there Avere twentv-four acres in Fairmount owned by the
city, which cost Si 16,834. Lemon Hill — forty-five acres — was
bought in 1844, and cost $75,000, Lemon Hill and the AVater-
works grounds were formally opened as Fairmount Park by ordi-
nance of 28th of December, 1855. In 1857 citizens of Phila-
delphia bought Sedgely — thirty-four acres — between Lemon Hill
and Spring Garden Waterworks for §125,000. They subscribed
and paid §G0,000, and then offered it to the city on condition that
it should assume and pay the mortgage for the balance. This
ground was accepted by the city and made a part of Fairmount
Park. Lansdowne — 140 acres — was Ijought in 1866 by four
citizens for 884,953.30. They offered it to the city for the same
price, and it was accepted. In 1868 and 1869 the Park was
further increased by extending the territory to the present bounds.
Tliere are in Fairmount Park, exclusive of the Wissahickon,
34,700 large trees, between eighteen inches and twenty-seven feet
in girth. The trees of less size are about 68,000. The hard-
wood shrubs and vines are estimated at 200,000. There is no
public park in London that is as large as Fairmount Park in this
city. Phoenix Park, Dublin, contains about 1700 acres; Hyde
Park, London, about 400 acres; and Regent Park about 403
acres. New York Central Park contains 843 acres. The Ep-
ping Forest, in county Essex, contains 12,000 acres, and the
Windsor Forest, in county Berks, 3800 acres. The Prater of
Vienna, Austria, has 5120 acres. Fairmount Park has 2791
acres. Epping and Windsor are reserved for park purposes,
but they are scarcely })arks in the modern sense of the word.
They are woods in which Nature is allowed to take care of
herself. The Prater is a park, as we understand the word in
this country, Art and Nature being combined to render it
beautiful and attractive.

During the first five years of the Park Commission .$1,114,713
was expended in the improvement of the jieople's })leasure-
ground. This was an average of §222,942 a year. The area of
the Park thev fix at 2791yy acres, which are divided up — in the
Old Park, 117 acres; East Park, 510; West Park, 1232; Wissa-
hickon, 416; water-surface, 373; area of the Park proper, 2648
acres; area of outlying plots, paid for out of Park loan, 143.t-^
acres.

During the winters of 1876 and 1877 upward of $8000 worth
of ])lants were propagated. The receijits from all sources were
§19,924.52, and the expenditures were §22,939.07, which, with
the ajipropriation made, left a balance of §8140.93 to merge.

Taking 1877 as an off-year in Park history, there are still
some interesting figures in relation to its use. Thus in the
report of the Park Comiuission we are told that 5,365,235 per-
sons entered tiie Park on loot. Of horseback riders there were

Old Fairmount and the Park. 399

64,046; of vehicles of all kinds there were 1,131,966. The
average for the latter, at three for each vehicle, would make
3,395,898 carriage-riders. Add to these the 64,046 horseback-
riders, and we have a total of 3,459,948, showing an excess of
pedestrians — representing what might be called poor men — of
nearly two millions of persons. These figures, we are convinced,
do not represent the true return. In regard to the enumeration
of horses and carriages the matter is easy, because they can enter
the grounds only at certain points, and must pass the enumerators.
But persons on foot can enter the Park almost at any place along
its great boundaries without passing over the ordinary roads and
footpaths, so that they cannot be counted even with the most
careful system of observation. Every year the number of visitors
to the Park increases, and we are glad to say that the number of
pedestrians increases also. Among the latter are many who have
means to ride when they desire to do so, but who have come to
the conclusion that walking is the best exercise in the world.
Those who do not walk in the Park have no idea of its beauty,
and know nothing of its wooded enclosures and shaded paths.
There are portions of the Park, even in the neighborhood of such
well-known points as Lansdowne, George's Hill, and Belmont,
which are of great beauty, and of which the carriage-riding Park
visitors know nothing. The Park in suramer-time — indeed in
all seasons of the year — is a glory to the city, and is worth more
than it ever cost or is likely to cost hereafter.

FairhUl, p. 493. — Isaac Norris had bought various pieces of
property in the upper part of the Liberties, amounting to 834
acres. These bore the names of Fairhill and Sepviva, and
adjoined the Masters estate. A patent confirming the various
titles was issued to him Oct. 8, 1713. It stretched from the
Germantown road to Gunner's Run or Creek ; the ])art between
Gerinantown and Frankford roads was called Fairhill, from the
name of the meeting-house adjoining, and contained 530 acres.
That portion east of Frankford road over to Gunner's Pun was
called Sepviva, and contained 155 acres. On the Fairhill portion
Isaac Norris built a large square mansion, plain but comfortable,
Avainscoted in the parlors and halls with oak and cedar. Here
he resided usually all the year, after he removed from the Slate-
Roof House. The house was built in 1717, but, with many
other country-seats, was burnt by the British during the Revo-
lution. It was afterward rebuilt, and is still standing on Sixth
street near Germantown road, and was used as a tavern under tiie
name of " The Revolution House." The carriage-way led from
the house to the Germantown road through well-shaded grounds.
The gardens were laid out in the formal English style, and many
}>lants and trees were brought from distant places; amongst others,
the first willows were grown here from the slips given by Franklin.

400 Annals of PhiladelpTiia,

rUBLIC GARDENS.

P. 494. — See an account of the gardens around Philadelphia,
drawn up by a Committee of the Horticultural Society in I80O.
{Beg. Peinut., vii. 105.) The Horticultural Society was estab-
lished in 18'28 — Horace Binney, president; Samuel Hazard, sec-
retary, {licg. Penna., i. 344.)

A green-house was erected at Springettsbury in the former
part of last century by Margaret Frame, youngest daughter of
William Penn, "who accompanied her brother, one of the Pro-
prietors, in his visit to the Province, and who at that time built
one of the wings of an intended mansion where he purposed to
reside, and laid out a garden in the taste which then jjrevailod
in England of clipped hedges, arbors, and M'ildernesscs, which
flourished beautifully till the time of the Revolutionary War,
when the house was accidentally destroyed by fire. There were
also handsome gardens and green-houses attached to the proper-
ties of Charles Norris, Israel Pemberton, William Logan, James
Hamilton, Isaac Norris, and some others.

Fouguet's Garden was between Tenth and Eleventh and Arch
and Hace streets, where mead and ice-cream were sold. There
was a brick house, Avith gable to the street, standing above
Cherry street after it was opened, belonging to Patrick Byrne,
the lot extending from Tenth to Eleventh, on which the fine row
of houses was built by Byrne's son-in-law. This house was an
old one, and may have been used by Fouquet before Cherry
street was opened, as he is said to have used the garden from
1800 to 1818. Byrne's lot was enclosed by a post-and-rail
fence. (See also Watson, Vol. I.. 235.)

John McArran, who kept the botanical garden on the lot of
ground which ran from Filbert to Arch and from Schuylkill
"Sixth (Seventeenth) to Schuylkill Fifth (Eighteenth) streets,
was, we presume, a Scotchman. He was at that place as a
botanical gardener and seedsman as early as 1821. He died
some years ago. It was to his science and taste that Lemon
Hill was most indebted for its decorations. ISIcArran's Garden
is quite within the recollection of not even old men. It con-
tained four acres, and was well covered Avith shade trees, summer-
houses, green-houses, rare plants, etc. Afterward ice-cream and
other refreshments were sold, and fireworks and other entertain-
ments were had there. Finally, a theatrical attemj)t was made,
but not succeeding, it became deserted, and building improve-
ments took its place.

Out IMarket steeet, on the block bounded by IMarket and Fil-
bert streets, and West Penn Square and Fifteenth street, stood
the old " Evans Garden." The old mansion was surrounded l)y
the high board fence and the old trees within the enclosure. It

Public Gardens. 401

was a place of great resort in its day, and was frequented by many
gentlemen for afternoon amusements. The First City Troop used
the garden for its drills, etc. and place of assembling. In the
summer of 1828 they went on an encamping excursion to the
neighborhood of the Yellow Springs, Chester county, and took
with them the late Frank Johnson, the celebrated colored mu-
sician, who performed on his bugle while the Troop were prepar-
ing to start. Captaui William H. Hart then commanded the
Troop. On that excursion the Troop took over eighty equipped
men, with other (invited) gentlemen.

The Labyrinth Garden, on Arch street, was kept by Thomas
Smith in 1828. He was a careful man in keeping a record of
the weather.

The garden between Arch and Race and Schuylkill Second
and Schuylkill Third (Twenty-first and Twentieth) was orig-
inally kept by a person named Honey — afterward, we think, by
Fouquet — and the last occupant was A. d'Arras. It contained
six acres, and was the largest public garden.

Old Lebanon Garden. — This garden was located at the corner
of Tenth and South streets, and extended back to Shippen (now
Bainbridge) street, and opposite Ronaldson's Cemetery, which in
1829 had been two years under way as a new cemetery, convert-
ing an old skating-lot into it. On Fourths of July fireworks
were generally displayed. There was an old dilapidated sign
hung in front of the garden. There were verses on the sign,
and pictures above the verses. On the east side was inscribed :

" Neptune and his triumphant host
Commands the ocean to be silent,
Smoothes the surface of its waters,
And universal calm succeeds."

On the opposite, or west side, was the following :

" Now calm at sea, and peace on land.
Has blest our continental shores ;
Our fleets are ready at command

To sway and curb contending powers."

Over the old Lebanon Tavern were these lines :

" Of the waters of Lebanon

Good cheer, good chocolate and tea,
With kind entertainment
By John Kenneday."

The following are reminiscences of two aged persons of nota-
ble events : " Passing down Tenth street a few days ago, my
thoughts took me back to Wednesday, March 4th, 1829, the day
of the inauguration of General Andrew Jackson as President of
the United States. It was celebrated by a portion of the then

Vol. III.— 2 A 34 «

402 Annals of Philadelphia.

old Jackson party at the old Lebanon Garden, Tenth and South
streets, by an old-fashioned bear-roasting and the destruction of
other eatables. The Democrats of that day were assembled on
that occasion, including such men as Captain Joseph L. Kay,
Hugh Harbeson, Colonel John Thompson, John Snyder, John
Horn, George Smith, Peter L. Berry, Asher M. Howell, James
H. Hutchinson, and other well-known Democratic politicians.
The old Lebanon at that time was kept by the late Captain John
Pascal, and the day passed off without anything to mar the
pleasure of the occasion. The inaugural address of General
Jackson was not received in this city until Fridav afternoon,
March 6th, and was published in an extra from the National Ga-
zette of that evening. The 4th of March, 1837, came on Satur-
day, and the inaugural of Van Buren was not received at the
Exchange until late on Sunday afternoon. To show how slow
we travelled at that period, the late William J. Duane, Esq., a
warm personal friend of Jackson, left the city on Sundav, March
1st, 1829, and did not reach Washington until the procession was
leaving the Presidential mansion. Many remember the horse-
expresses that would leave the old Post-Office, at Chestnut and
Franklin ])lace, at that time, and what crowds would congregate
to see them depart and move out Third street. If Reeside &
King were alive, and could see the improvements of the age, they
would be lost in wonder and amazement."

"A buffalo's tongue was prepared and smoked and sent to
General Jackson by Ca]>tain Pascal. A buffalo M'as bought by
him from a well-known butcher at that time named Charles
Pray. It came from the West with a drove of cattle, and sev-
enty dollars were paid for it. It was penned up at Old Lebanon,
and fed on hay and a bushel of potatoes daily. On the dav be-
fore the barbecue several hundred jiersons congregated to see the
fun. A stout rope, about one hundred and fifty feet long, was
made fast in the middle to the horns of the beast, and a1)out fifty
persons took hold of each end and drew him back in the garden,
which extended to Shippen street from South street. A ring had
been made secure to the centre tree of three old cherry trees, in a
row running east and west. The end of the rope was passed in
and gradually draM'n through the ring by the persons alternately
letting go as they got to the ring, and exchanging their hold to
the end which had passed through it. Both ends were finally
made fast to the next trees. A Mr. Peal, who had frequently
shot buffaloes on the prairies, stood twenty yards off and shot
several times at the animal, aiming to strike him behind the fore
shoulder. At each shot the buffalo merely gave a shudder. This
Mr. Peal thought strange, and then he shot him in the heiul,
which he did not wish to do for fear of destroying his skin, de-
siring it as perfect as possible, to have it prepared for Peale's
Museum, where, indeed, it finally was placed, and a bunch of

Public Gardens. 403

candles hung at the side made of the fat of the said beast.
After having been shot in the head the animal fell on his knees
and rose several times. Fearing the possibility of his breaking
loose, he was knocked in the head with a butcher's axe and killed.
On the northerly tree the heart was hung up, exhibiting the holes
made by the bullets, each one having passed through it. The
tongue ^vas prepared and smoked, and packed in a polished
hickory box, in hickory shavings made for the occasion, resem-
bling curled ribbons, by Henry J. Bockius, carpenter, and was
sent to General Jackson. A bear was also killed, and roasted
whole on a windlass such as was also built for the buffalo. Fires
were kept up with pine and hickory wood all the nigiit before.
A salute by old Captain Chalkley Baker was fired on the play-
ground adjoining Ronaldson's type-foundry. To view this salute
the shed of the old tenpin-alley became filled with boys and men
lying on their breasts to prevent detection by police emj>loyed to
keep the shed clear. The shed was a double shed, and the whole
concern moved and fell. The cracking noise gave the signal,
and all but one man got out of the way. He was carried over
home, and died soon after. Ronaldson's graveyard was then an
open lot, with post-and-rail fence around it, being old and dilap-
idated. Colonel Chalkley Baker and Colonel John K. Murphy
withdrew the artillery to this lot and finished the salute.

The Dundas Elm Tree and Vauxhall Gardens. — At one time a
number of the lots of ground in the western portion of tlie city
were owned by Colonel John Dunlap, of Revolutionary reminis-
cences, and David Clayj^oole, Esq., of the firm of Dunlap &
Claypoole, printers and publishers. Among the squares of
ground owned by IVIr. Dunlap was the lot bounded by Walnut,
George (Sansoni), Juniper, and Broad streets, on which he had
planted various si)ecies of trees. But two of the original now
remain — an elm and a pine. The square was for several years
a public garden, known as Vauxhall. After the Dunlap family
sold it, it was divided. The one half toward Juniper street was
owned by the late Edward Burd, Esq., who about the year 1830
had a stone wall about two feet high, with a paling fence on the
top, built on the three street sides; and the trees remained on
that portion until the ground was sold or rented to build upon.
When the late Harvey Beck, Esq., in the year 1836, commenced
to build at the north-west corner of AValnut and Juniper streets,
the men, in digging the cellar, unearthed a large well that had
been used by the Dunlaps for the storage of ice, close by the
garden. The western portion of the lot had a rough board fence
around it. In the year 1833 the ground was rented to a INIr.
Fletcher, who intended to improve it by building a row of dwell-
ings fronting on Broad street; but for some reason, after digging
a portion of the cellars midway between Walnut and George
streets, the work was abandoned, and tiie hole remained as a

404 Annak of Philadelphia.

pond until filled up. The lot remained open for boys or other.**
to play on or to lie about in the shade, and most of the trees
were cut down or destroyed. Mr. Dundas commenced to build
in 1839, and occupied the house about the last of Xoveniber,
1840. Henry Pratt — Mrs. Dundas's father — died in January,
1838, and it was not until the following year they concluded to
build and to leave the old mansion in Front street. Son^e of the
trees in the garden were transplanted from Lemon Hill ; all that
now remain of the trees are the elm and the pine. As to the
elm being one hundred and fifty years old, it is only conjectural,
but it must be far advanced in years — so much so that in a few
years it will have to come down.

A number of elms were on the square which Mr. Dunlap sold
to Mr. Girard — on Chesnut street, between Eleventh and Twelfth
streets — which were cut down in the year 1833 to make the pres-
ent improvements.

Colonel John Dunlap Avas a native of Ireland. He came to
this countiy when quite young, and afterward served an appren-
ticeship to the printing business. In the year 1776 he was in
business as a printer and publisher at "the newest printing-office
on Market street." After Mr. Dunlap sold the property at the
south-east corner of Market and Twelfth streets to Mr. Girard, he
resided at the north-east corner of Chestnut and Thirteenth streets
until his death in the year 1812.

The old firm of Pratt & Kintzing is remembered by many of
the present generation as belonging to the time when our city
boasted of her merchants. They had thirty-two square-rigged
vessels on the ocean at once. Mr. Kintzing died in 1835, having
entirely lost his eyesight by application i;o business.

Mrs. Dundas died in the house at the corner of Broad and
Walnut streets, and Mr. Dundas died on the 4th of July, 1865.

A fire and riot took place at the Vauxhall Garden in Septem-
ber, 1819. Our late townsman, Robert M. Lewis, Esq., often
said that he was dining that afternoon at the house of a friend,
on the west side of Fourth street, below AValnut. Among the
guests was a relation of his, the late Robert Wharton, at that
time mayor of the city. Toward evening there was a ring at the
bell, and the servant answered the call, when John Hart, at tliat
time one of the high constables of the city, rushed into the room
and informed Mr. Wharton that a terrible riot and fire were in
progress at the Vauxhall, caused by the failure of a balloon
ascension. The company at once left for the garden. On ap-
proaching Thirteenth street the elm tree Avas discovered on fire.
Thev all hurried into the enclosure. Several arrests were made
of the rioters, and the disturbance was quelled, but not until
much damage was done. j\Ir. Lewis said the tree at that time
was a large one. Mr. Dundas always thought it very old, and
had it well secured in his lifetime to prevent its falling down.

Fires and Fire-Engines. 405

FIRES AND FIRE-ENGINES.

From the settlement of Philadelphia in 1682 until 1696 no
public precautions seem to have been taken against fire. In the
latter year the Provincial Legislature passed a law for preventing
accidents that might happen by fire in the towns of Philadelphia
and New Castle, by which persons were forbidden to fire their
chimneys to cleanse them, or suffer them to be so foul as to take
fire, under a penalty of 40s., and each houseowner was to pro-
vide and keep ready a swab twelve or fourteen feet long, and a
bucket or pail, under the penalty of 10s. No person should pre-
sume to smoke tobacco in the streets, either by day or night, under
a penalty of l'2d. All which fines were to be used to buy leather
buckets and other instruments or engines against fires for the
public use.

A similar act was passed in 1700, applying to Bristol, Phila-
delphia, Germantown, Darby, Chester, New Castle, and Lewes,
providing for two leather buckets, and forbidding more than six
pounds of powder to be kept in any house or shop, unless forty
perches distant from any dwelling-house, under the penalty of
£10. A similar law was passed in 1701, and the magistrates
were also directed to procure "six or eight good hooks for
tearing down houses on fire."

By various acts of Assembly the breaming of vessels with blaz-
ing fire, the firing of chimneys and the sweeping of the same, the
firing of guns, squibs, and rockets, the building of bakehouses
and cooper-shops, and the keeping of hay and fagots, were made
the subjects of strict and particular legislation ; and by two acts
of April 18th, 1795, the corporation of the city was authorized
to prevent the erection of wooden buildings east of Tenth street,
and to see that every occupier of a house had in re})air not ex-
ceeding six leather buckets, to be used only in extinguishing
fires.

Of course our early ancestors got most of their ideas of public
prevention of fires from the home country. After the great fire
of 1666, London was divided into four divisions, provided with
leather buckets, ladders, brazen hand-squirts, pick-axes, sledges,
and shod shovels. Each of the twelve companies were to pro-
vide an engine, thirty buckets, three ladders, six sledges, and two
hand-squirts; and some inferior companies were to have some
small engines and buckets. And the aldermen were to provide
themselves with twenty-four buckets and one hand-squirt each.
Water was supplied to the engines and squirts by pumps in the
wells and fire-plugs in the main pipes belonging to the New
River and Thames waterworks. The various corporations of

406 Annah of Philadelphia.

mechanics each provided thirty hands of different grades, to
be ready at all times to attend the mayor and sheriffalty for
extin<)juishin<>: fires, and various workmen, laborers, and ])orters
M'ere also to be always ready. By the act of 6 Anne the church-
wardens of each parish were to have introduced into the mains
stop-blocks of M'ood, with a two-inch plug and fire-cocks, so that
such plugs or fire-cocks might be quickly opened and let out
the water without loss of time in digging down to the })ipes;
they were to have a large engine and a hand-engine, and one
leathern pipe and socket of the same size as the plug or fire-
cock, that the socket might be put into the pi])e to convey
the water clean and without loss or help of bucket into the en-
gine. Party- walls were also to be of brick or stone, and of a
certain thickness.

In 1757 the New River Company had forty-eight main ])ipes
of wood, of seven-inch bore, and the water was supplied to
30,000 houses by leaden pipes of half an inch bore. The
Hand-in-Hand Fire Office, a mutual one, was started in 1696
by about 100 persons, to protect each other's houses. They
employed thirty-five men.

Between 1768 and 1774 there were over 300 engines. Xow
there is, besides many private engines in large buildings and
factories, the London Fire Brigade, established by fire insur-
ance companies in 1833 and 1855, who have some 50 engines
drawn by horses, 10 smaller drawn by hand, 2 floating-en-
gines on the Thames worked by steam, and a number of hand-
pumps, one on each engine. From the small size of the mains
of the different water comjianies, the hose is not fixed directly
on them, and down to 1860 they had not introduced steam
fire-engines.

To return to Philadelphia. From 1701 to 1736 the means of
extinguishing fires were principally provided by the corporation
of the city. In 1718, Abraham Bickley, a public-spirited mer-
chant, owned an engine, which was probably imported from
England, and supposed to be still in existence in Bethlehem,
which Councils agreed to buy in Dec, 1718, and agreed in Dec,
1719, to })ay him £50 for it. This is tlie first engine we have
distinct reference to. This engine being unable to contend with
the great fire of 1730, which destroyed the store near Fish-
bourne's wharf and Jonathan Dickinson's fine house — a loss of
£5000 — led to the purchase of three more engines by the city
and four hundred leather buckets, twenty ladders, and twenty-
five hooks, an assessment of twopence per pound and eight shil-
lings per head being laid to ])ay for the same. Abraham liick-
ley was a merchant. Common Councilman, member of the Assem-
bly, and alderman. He died in 1726 ; another Abraham Bickley,
most probably a son, died in 1744.

In July, n29, George Claypoole agreed to keep the fire-engine

Fh'es and Fire-Engines. 407

in good repair, and play the same every month, for £3 per annnm ;
but he declined it the next month, and Richard Armitt undertook
it instead, James Barrett was i)aid £6 for twelve fire-buckets
taken from him at a fire in Chestnut street. In January, 1731,
two of the engines arrived, with 250 buckets, from England, and
the third engine was built here by Anthony Nicholls in 1733,
and the other buckets were manufactured here. This was the
first fire-engine built in this city. It was oj)erated in January,
1733, and " played water higher than the highest in this city had
from London." This was the first he made, and he expected to
make several others, but the Councils thought the bill was too
great ; that the engine was very heavy and unwieldy, and re-
quired much labor to work it; that some parts were made of
wood instead of brass, and they feared it would not last long.

In December, 1733, there appeared in Franklin's Pennsylvania
Gazette an article on fires and their origin, and on the mode of
putting them out. Some months later, in February, 1735, there
appeared another article on hints for preventing fires, suggestions
that public pumps should be built, a plan for organizing a club
or society for putting out fires, after the manner of one in a
neighboring city (Boston ?), and a suggestion that the roofs
should be covered with tiles, and the brick walls be carried up
above the eaves for greater safety in walking on them. This
latter essay was signed " A. A.," probably Anthony Atwood, a
well-known citizen, but was supposed to have been written by
Franklin himself, for he says in his Autobiography : "About this
time I read a paper [in the Junto] on the different accidents and
carelessness by Avhich houses were set on fire, with cautions
against them and means proposed for avoiding them. This was
much spoken of as a useful piece, and gave rise to a project,
which soon followed, of forming a company for the more ready
extinguishment of fires and mutual assistance in removing and
securing of goods when in danger. Associates in this scheme
were presently found amounting to thirty. Our articles of agree-
ment obliged every member to keep always in good order and fit
for use a certain number of leather buckets, with strong bags and
baskets (for packing and transporting of goods), which were to
be brouglit to every fire ; and we agreed to meet once a month
and spend a social evening together in discoursing and com-
municating such ideas as occurred to us upon the subject of fires
as might be useful in our conduct on such occasions.

"The utility of this institution soon appeared, and many more
desiring to be admitted than we thought convenient for one com-
pany, they were advised to form another, which was accordingly
done ; and this went on, one company being formed after another,
until they became so numerous as to include most of the inhabit-
ants who were men of property; and now at the time of writing
this, though upward of fifty years since its establishment, that

408 Annals of Philadelphia.

■vvliich I first formed, called the Union Fire Company, still exists,
though tiie first members are all deceased but myself and one who
is older by a year than I am."

It will thus be seen, and by the "Articles of the Union Fire
Conijiany of Philadelphia, originally formed December 7, 1736,"
that Franklin was the founder of the first fire company, and that
it was in 1736, and not 1738, as Watson states, Vol. I. 497.
The following were also early members : Isaac Paschal, Philip
Syme, William Rawle, Samuel Powell. The engine was most
})robably kept in a house in Grindstone alley, above Market
street. Each member at his own cost was to provide six leather
buckets and two bags of four yards of good osnaburgs or wider
linen. The bags and baskets were for packing and transporting
of goods. Upon the alarm of fire being given each member was
to repair with half of his buckets and bags to the fire to extin-
guish it and preserve the goods. Precautions were taken to pre-
vent suspicious persons from carrying away goods by stationing
two members at the door, and lights were' to be placed in the
adjoining houses, so that persons might be recognized. The
number of membei-s was restricted to thirty, and this being filled
iip within a year, the second company was formed, and its insti-
tution dated March 1st, 1738, under 'the name of the Fellowship
Fire Company, with thirty-five members. Its engine was located
in a house on a lot on Second street near Market belonging to the
Friends' Meeting. The ladder was kept under the eaves of the
butchers' shambles on the south side, near to the meal-market.
There were also seven ladders in various other places. The
third company, the Hand-in-Hand, was formed March 1st, 1742,
with forty members; the fourth company, the Heart-in-Hand,
February 22d, 1743, with forty members;' the fifth company, the
Friendship, July 30th, 1747^ with forty members; the 'sixth
coni])any, the Britannia, about 1750 or 1751 ; but little is known
of this company, and it is probable it Nvas disbanded in pre-
Revolutionary times on account of its name. Of the other com-
panies, a return was made in 1791 of the condition of their
engines, buckets, ladders, bags, baskets, and hauses or hose ; of
the latter the Union had eighty feet, and the Friendship one
hundred and twenty feet. Each of the companies had an engine
imported from England, and the Friendship had two ; the latter
had also two hundred and forty buckets, or more than either of
the others except the Union. Fortunately, the number of fires
was not great ; the largest conflagration was of Hamilton's build-
ings at the Drawbridge, consisting of several stores filled with
produce, etc.

In 1768, Richard Mason, "living at the upper end of Second
street," made fire-engines. He was the first to introduce levers
at the ends instead of at the sides of the engine. He made a
fourth-class one for the Northern Liberty Company in October,

Fires and Fire-Engines. 409

and a number of others up to 1801. Philip Mason also built
several engines between 1797 and 1801. Samuel Briggs also
built two between 1791 and 1796, but they were not successful.

In 1770 the Sun Fire Company applied to the board to permit
their engine to stand in one of the new houses at the east end of
the stalls to the eastward of the court-house; which was granted.

The before-mentioned builders were superseded by the cele-
brated Patrick Lyon. About 1794 he invented an improved
engine, which he claimed would throw more water and with
greater force than any other. He does not, hoAvever, seem to
hav'e accomplisiied much until 1803, when he made machines for
the Philadelphia and Goodwill. After these he built a number
as late as 1824, when he built the Reliance. The " Old Dili-
gent," made by him, maintained its usefulness and celebrity
until the introduction of steam fire-engines.

In 1809 the Philadelphia Hose Company determined to build
a combined engine and hose, which was finally completed after
the designs of James Sellers, an ingenious member, in 1814. It
carried the hose on two cylinders, but was too heavy. This was
superseded in 1817 by the Hydraulion, a style of machine which
was adopted by several other companies.

Perkins & Jones built an engine for the Harmony in 1816 on
the plan of Joseph M. Trueman. Sellers & Pennock built a few
engines between 1820 and 1827, and Joel Bates between 1827
and 1840. Merrick & Agnew, Perkins & Bacon, and John Ag-
new were also celebrated makers. The latter was the most noted
until the introduction of steam fire-engines, of which the first
was built in London by Mr. Braithwaite in 1830. In 1841, Mr.
Hodges of New York built one for the associated insurance com-
panies, and in 1853, A. B. Latta of Cincinnati built the first one
that might be said to be practical and not too heavy.

An act passed by the Assembly in 1731 prohibited coopers and
bakers from plying their trades in shops unless built of brick or
stone, with a large chimney within them, and various other pre-
cautions added. Fines for violation of the pi-ecautions were to be
devoted to purchasing fire-buckets and engines. Haystacks were
not allowed within one hundred feet of any building, nor a larger
number of fagots than two hundred.

In 1736 another great fire occurred, in which several houses in
" Budd's Long Row," Front street near the Drawbridge, were
much injured. This fire gave rise to the Union Fire Company,
established Dec. 7, 1736. With this and the other companies
that started soon after commenced the volunteer fire system of
Philadelj)hia.

The Hibernia, whose constitution was adopted February 20,
1752, required each member to have two leathern buckets, two
bags, and a large wicker basket with two handles, all marked
with his name and that of the company, and kept ready at hand/

410 Annals of Philadelphia.

They imported a new engine in 17o8, wliich was placed in a
house they built at the corner of Walnut and Second streets.
This company was incorporated Sept. 20, 1841, and they ))ut
into service a first-class steam fire-engine Dec. 30, 1858. The
Harmony Fire Company was instituted August 24, 1784, and
incorporated in 1848.

A mutual assurance company against fire was established March
25, 1752, and incorporated l)y the Provincial Assemblv Fel)ruarv
20, 17G8, by the title of "The Philadelphia Contributionship for
the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire," now generally known
by the name of " Hand-in-Hand," and having had its office in
Fourth street below Walnut for many years. A similar company
was formed October 21, 1784, and inc-orporated by the General
Assembly February 27, 1786, by the name of " The Mutual As-
surance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire," now
generally known as the " Green Tree," from its permitting trees
to be planted before houses without any additional premium.

By a print representing the burning of Zion Lutheran Church,
at the corner of Fourth and Cherry streets, December 26, 1794,
three of the small engines of that day appear to have been in ser-
vice, and were filled by means of buckets. The full buckets
were passed to the engine by men, and the empty ones returned
to the pump-lines by women. The yellow fever of the last dec-
ade of the eighteenth centurv, which cut off a large number of
the inhabitants, was the means of introducing the Schuylkill
■water by means of steam-power. In 1815 the steam- works at
Fairmount were put into operation ; in 1819 iron mains and pipes
were suV>.stituted for the original wooden ones; and in July, 1822,
the dam and works at Fairmount were completed and the whole
operated by water-power. These works, with their capacious
reservoirs and large water-wheels and turbines, have been steadily
increased and improved.

By the year 1818 water had become abundant, and serviceable
hose had increased to such an extent that the use of fire-buckets
was discontinued, and they became degraded to other uses and
worn out, and then disappeared, save a few which are now ex-
hibited as curiosities. A few "bucket companies," it is true,
were organized, but hose competition soon caused them to dwindle
out of existence. Even ladders and hooks disappeared, leaving
in use only engines and hose-carriages. In 1851 the Empire
Hook and Ladder Company was established, the want of these
implements being felt, and other such companies have since been
established.

Hose, as first used in England, was a woven cylindrical web
of hemp or linen, whence probably its name. It was first made
of thick sewed leather by the Van der Heides of Amsterdam in
1672, who also probably first constructed the air-chamber fire-en-
gine and the suction hose of sailcloth made water-tight by cement.

Fires and Fire Engines. 411

Their engines were introduced into England shortly after their
invention, and the one sent to this country bore date of 1698,
and was finally stored at Bethlehem, Thougli antique in con-
struction, its principle was the same as in the later hand-engines.

In Germany hose was made in 1720 of hemp without seams,
and afterward of linen. When it was first used or made in Eng-
land is not known. In Hogarth's two pictures of The Times,
published in 1762, the modern appliances of hose, coupling,
bucket, and engine are fully depicted. In this country the Penn-
sylvania Gazette of March 24, 1772, speaks of the German hose
or " water-snakes."

An association was formed by the hose companies, called the
Fire Hose Association of Philadelphia, in 1813. The objects
sought to be gained were the erection of a tribunal to determine
disputes between the hose companies and to establish for them a
certain and permanent sup]>ort. Failing in these objects, the asso-
ciation was dissolved in 1817, though a new one was formed the
same year of both hose and engine companies, and entitled the
Fire Association of Philadel[)hla. It was governed by a board
consisting of two delegates fi'om each company, elected annually,
and who elected a president, secretary, and treasurer from their
own body. In 1818 they entered into the business of insurance,
and the delegates ekcted thirteen trustees to carry on the busi-
ness, for which they obtained a charter March 27, 1820, and were
incorporated by the name of " The Trustees of the Fire Associ-
ation of Philadelphia." June 5, 1820, the Harmony Engine
Company was admitted a member. No dividend was to be made
until the capital stock amounted to ^100,000, and no com})any
was to be entitled to a dividend which did not, in the opinion of
the board of delegates, ])ossess a complete ajiparatus for the ex-
tinguishment of fires. Each member of the companies in the
association could effect insurances at five per cent, less premium
than non-members, and the association could grant relief to any of
the associated companies in need of it. Thus was organized a
company to maintain the efficiency of the fire department, and the
capital stock in reality consisted of the property and active ser-
vices of every company belonging to the association ; therefore
each company pledged its faitli to maintain a suitable apparatus
and to contribute its full share to the protection and insurances of
the Fire Association. They held also that no comj)any had any
claims upon the profits or share in the association that went out
of active service, nor had they any right to sell their privileges,
but that all reverted to the companies that remained and carried
out the provisions of their charter.

The city on Aug. 2, 1811, api)i'opriated annually thereafter to
the fire hose and engine companies $1500, to be distributed by
the Watering Committee. This was increased in 1813 to $2000 ;
in 1823 to §4000; in 1828 to $5000; in 1833 to $7000; in 1835

412 Annals of Philadelphia.

to $8100; and in 1839 to $9000. In 1840, Councils, on account
of violations of the peace, appropriated $8700 to the Committee
on Legacies and Trusts to distribute among the companies, but
not more than $300 to any one company, and they were to inspect
all apparatus.

The disorders still increasing, Councils j)assed an ordinance Jan.
4, 1844, Avhieli divided the city and districts into three fire dis-
tricts. It regulated the passing of the companies out of their
respective districts, the attaching and supplying water at fires and
the use of the fire-plugs, the age and number of active members,
and the quantity of hose to be carried by each hose and engine
company, and prohibited stationary alarm-bells. Companies were
to make annual returns of their condition, nunil)er of fires attended,
names and number of members. INIinors could not be elected ; no
hose company should have more than fifty members, and no engine
company more than sixty members. Each company had to select
one member of a board of engineers, who had supervision of all
companies at fires. If any of these provisions were violated, the
company was deprived of its appropriation ; for a second offence
to be excluded from the use of the fire-plugs; for a subsequent
offence to be fined $100.

The appropriations from 1845 to 1853 varied from S6000 to
$7800, exclusive of special appropriations for damages done in
the great fire of 1850. March 7, 1848, the Legislature gave the
Court of Quarter Sessions special jurisdiction over riotous fire
companies in the city and districts, with authority to put them
out of service, and even to disband them.

On the 2d of February, 1854, the Legislature erected the whole
county of Philadelphia into one great municipal corporation called
the "City of Philadelphia." Its superficial area is 129| square
miles, or about 82,701 acres, and its length is 23 miles, with an
average breadth of 5^ miles. By this act of consolidation Coun-
cils-were directed to organize a police department, with privilege
of a fire department subordinate to or independent of that of the
police, and ample power to make all laws for their regulation.
An ordinance was therefore passed Jan. 30, 1855, to reorganize
the fire department, to consist of such regularly-organized engine,
hose, and hook-and-ladder companies as shall comply with its
provisions. The officers were to be a chief engineer, seven assist-
ants— one for each district — and one director for each company
possessed of the apparatus provided for. By supplements in
185G-57 the lines of the seven districts M'ere changed and were
thrown into five divisions, and the assistant engineers were re-
duced to five, one for each division. The engineer and assistants
were elected every two years by the companies. Each hose com-
pany was required to have 800 feet of good hose on a four-wheeled
(iarriage : each engine company to have a good engine and carry
300 fc-dt of hose; and each hook-and-ladder company to carry 125

Fires and Fire- Engines. 413

Teet of ladders and the necessary hooks and axes ; no appropria-
tion to be paid unless the apparatus was in good order and bad
performed active service for nine months of the year. Hose and
hook-and-ladder companies were limited to thirty active members,
and engine companies to fifty.

Since the passage of the ordinance of 1855 an entire change
has taken place in the fire department by the introduction of
steam-power. In five years' time, or in 1860, there were 43
engines, of which 21 were steam, 42 hose, and 4 hook-and-
ladder companies — an aggregate of 89, with 67,938 feet of good
hose — of which 48 were attached to the Fire Association and 41
in active service outside of the association.

At the jjresent time the fire department is under the control of
a chief engineer and five assistants, with a force of 389 men and
123 horses; there are 32 companies at 13 fire-stations, 27 steam
fire-engines, 5 si)ecial steam-engines, 4 hand-engines and hose-
carriages, 5 hook-and-ladder trucks, 6 fuel- wagons, 50,000 feet
of rubber and linen hose, and over 5000 fire-plugs. The horses,
men, and engines are kept ready to go in service on the tap of
the fire-alarm telegraph. The admirable force forms the most
effective and powerful fire organization that exists, as is evi-
denced by the few fires we now have, and the still fewer large
ones, and small rate of loss. The paid fire de]>artment came
into existence March 15th, 1871. The last parade of volunteer
firemen took place Oct. 16, 1865.

THE PHILADELPHIA HOSE COMPANY,

On December 15, 1803, the first hose company established in
the city, the Philadelphia Hose Company, was organized. Its
history is interesting. It was the pioneer in a wide field of
public good. It was originated by some of our best citizens,
young men between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one, all of
them members, or descendants of members, of the Society of
Friends. The first meeting was held December 15, 1803, at the
house of Reuben Haines, No. 4 Bank (now Lodge) street, adjoin-
ing the old Pennsylvania Bank, at that time a fashionable neigh-
borhood. Although hose was used before for a limited end and
of imperfect construction, the idea of ai)plying a far different ar-
ticle to an almost if not entirely new object belongs to this first
combination of young men. Hose had been introduced in 1794
by the Humane Fire Company, and the completion of the Centre
Square Waterworks led to a general adoption of hose before this
time. There were present — Reuben Haines, Roberts Vaux, Jo-
seph Parker, Samuel N. Lewis, Abraham L. Pennock, William
Morrison, Joseph Warner, William Morris.

The second and third meetings were held on the 16th and 19th
of December, at which time Charles E. Smith, Joseph Lea,

35 *

414 Annals of Philadelphia.

Samuel Hazard, John R. Hall, and John "SVhoeler took their
seats. S. N. Lewis and A. L. Pcnnock resigned.

The foHowing are short biographies of the originators:

Reuben Haines was an apprentice (so called at that time) in
the store of Garrigues & ^Marshall, dry-goods merchants. Of an
active mind and tcmjierament, devoting his leisure to some useful
object or acquiring scientific knowledge, his after-life was spent in
elegant retirement at Germantown, occupied only in works of be-
nevolence or learning.

Roberts Vaux has left to his native city a character which is
identified with almost every useful public object. Educated a
merchant, he early gave up business and spent his davs in con-
stant eflbrts for the improvement of his feliow-man. The histo-
ries of the public institutions of Philadelphia, many of which he
originated, are his best biography. He died Jan. 7, 1836.

Joseph Parker was educated in mercantile pursuits. He was
active, ardent, impulsive, and kind-hearted. Esteeming the calls
of charity as imperatively demanding his personal attention, he
Avas ever the friend of the unfortunate.

Samuel X. Lewis was educated, lived, and died a merchant.
With his brother ^Mordecai the firm was long extensivelv known
as jNI. & S. N. Lewis, merchants of high repute, and for many
years manufacturers of white lead. They were old-fashioned
merchants, gentlemen of the purest character, most admirable
manners, and liighest respectability. Samuel N.. Lewis Avas born
in 1785, commenced business with his brother in 1806, and
continued in the firm in the same localitv until his death in
1841.

Abraham L. Pennock, engaged at one period in making leather
hose with rivets, was in business with Samuel J. Robbins, another
active, valuable, and early member of the Hose Company, and
for many years its president, treasurer, and secretary. After the
firm se]-»arated it became Pennock & Sellers, and was well known
for high character and jn-obity. Mr. Pennock retired to the coun-
try, and peaceably closed an exemplary life.

William Morrison, a most amiable and exemplary man, enjoyed
the luxury of doing good. For many years the partner of ^Iot-
decai L. Dawson, one of our most benevolent and useful citizens,
in the brewing of malt liquors, they built up a high reputation
for their manufacture and their upright dealing.

Joseph A\'arncr bore a character beyond rej)roach for sterling
qualities of mind and heart and the most practical and enlarged
benevolence. He was actively engaged in business. He died
November, 1859.

William Morris, trained for the life of a merchant, was
singularly kind and agreeal)le in his manners and character,
but died in a Southern climate in early manhood, deeply re-
gretted.

Fires and Fire-Engines. 415

Samuel Hazard, trained for a merchant in Robert Ralston's
counting-house, early in life made several voyages as sup(;rcargo
to the Mediterranean and the West Indies. Settled in Philadel-
phia as a commission merchant, and afterward in Huntsville,
Alabama. On his return to his native city his strong love for let-
ters induced him to publish Tlie JRegister of Pennsylvania, 16 vols. ;
The United States Commercial and Statistical Register, 6 vols. ;
The Annals of Pennsylvania, 1 vol. ; The Colonial Records, 16 vols.,
and The Archives of Pennsylvania, 12 vols. ; The Index to the
latter two in 1 vol. — altogether more than fifty large volumes —
and numerous pamphlets. An active member and officer of the
Presbyterian Church, librarian of the Historical Society, and
officer of many societies, he was born in 1784, and died at the
ripe age of eighty-six in 1870.

EXTRACTS FROM AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY RICHARD VAUX

Before the Philadelphia Hose Company, on the completion of the
new hall, Seventh street, December l€th, 1S50.

" Let us imagine for a moment, in those early times, the alarm
of * fire ' given on ' First-Day,' wiien, out of each pent-roof door
in Front and Second streets, and perhaps as high up town as Fifth
street, in Arch and Market and Chestnut streets, the quiet Quaker
in his plain, neat First-Day suit, his broad brim, his breeches and
buckle shoes and yarn stockings, with three or four of these fire-
buckets on either arm, proceeding in an excited gait to the nearest
pump to stand in line to i)ass on the water, working with a con-
viction that it was doing unto others as he would be done by; and
after Neighbor A's roof had been rid of the fire, returning home
with his buckets on his arms, with soaked shoes and muddy stock-
ings, conscious that he had performed a voluntary task, made
light by the knowledge that he was one of the many in like con-
dition. The picture is a faithful one. He was the first of that
noble band known as the Philadelphia firemen. The necessity
for a prompt supply of buckets induced a bucket company to be
established. The first consisted of about twenty young men, who
agreed to unite for the purpose of prompt delivery of these arti-
cles. They obtained a kind of box or crate on -wheels, on which
the few buckets they could collect were placed, and thus proceeded
quickly to the aid of the engines. At their first turnout the
number was very limited, but tradition, if nothing more reliable,
hints that on their return the capital of the company Mas greatly
augmented, for all the buckets that could be found wei-e safely
deposited in the machine, and the night was spent by the young
ones in quietly painting out the names of the owners and mark-
ing them with the title of the association. This may not inaptly
be regarded as the germ of the first hose company.

*' Even this contrivance was at last required to yield to more

416 Annals of Philadelphia.

urgent necessity. Kew and imjiroved a])p] lances became an ob-
vious duty. Several large fires had occurred, and one in Sansoni
street brought conviction home to the minds of many of the active
youth of tliat time that some mode must be devised to furnish a
full supply of water in order to stay the desolation of conflagra-
tion. To the founders of the Philadelphia Hose Com])any be-
long the praise and honor of suggesting and effectuating this most
benevolent and public-spirited purpose. Animated with the
views and sentiments already referred to, ten young men agreed
to associate for the formation of an institution benevolent in its
design and useful in its effects — an association the arduous duties
of which were self-imposed for general good.

" They discussed the objects of their meeting, proposed plans,
made all their arrangements for the regular formation of a com-
pany, and went to work, young, enthusiastic, hopeful, and success-
fully. It is worthy of remark that they were all under age.
They required four hundred feet of hose and screws, estimated at
two hundred dollars; a 'machine' for the hose to be carried in,
to cost fifty dollars ; a hose-house, at an expense of one hundred
dollars. The money was to be raised. A committee on address
to the citizens was appointed, and, as is not unfrequent now, that
committee was required to collect subscriptions. Tradition whis-
pers that some amusing incidents occurred to this committee of
ways and means ; they visited the noted people of that day. Among
the number was a Avorthy lady whose large income it was reported
bore no just relation to her limited wants. She lived in Arch
street near Front, in an old-fashioned house with its pent roof,
door divided horizontally, with its huge brass knocker beautifully
polished, two soapstone steps, and the benches on either side of
the door. A few of the like still remain at this time, specimens of
architecture in keeping with the habits and manners of early days.
The committee, after sounding the alarm, canvassed the character
of the lady, her resources, her oddities, and speculated as to the
amount of the donation they would receive. Waiting, and thus
conversing, and, as it seems, overheard, the upper half of the
door opened, and the owner, with her arms resting on the lower
division, still shut, asked in a sharp tone, 'What was Avanted?'
Taken by surprise, the committee began a history of the object
which induced them to call on her, its great advantages to the
public, and explained the mode intended for the use of the appa-
ratus; her stenuiess continued during the detail, and when finished
she remarked, 'So, boys, you think you know all about my busi-
ness, do you? AVell, as to the money, here is my mite; but I
just tell you out plain I don't \yaut you to come squirting your
waterworks about my house ; and besides, let me give you some
advice, and that is to let other folks' business alone.' Her sim-
plicity and liberality were about alike; she gave them liberally
of money and admonition, and they went away. The citizens

Fires and Fire-Engines.

417

gave cheerfully, and in a short tune seven hundred dollars were
raised by contribution. This was enough and to spare for a be-
ginning. Reuben Haines gave the company the use of the lot
No. 7 North Fourth street, and in connection with the Philadel-
phia Engine Company a house was built; so great was the
anxiety for its comjiletion that the water was heated in the street
to make mortar. The hose was obtained from Frederick Shultz,
at the cost of forty-three cents per foot, under a contract for six
hundred feet 5 it was made of leather sewed with thread, in sec-
tions of fifty feet each, except two of twenty-five feet each. The
next duty to be performed was the building of the machine, and
Patrick Lyon was the maker. It was an oblong box upon wheels,
six feet nine inches long by two feet six inches wide and two feet
deep ; the hose was carried in the box without a cylinder. It was
used as a reservoir also when the hose was in service for holding
water to feed engines. This box had arms at the front and back
to assist in changing its position, and lanterns on either side with
candles ; this wonder of the age cost ninety-eight dollars. The

The First Hose-Carriage is the United States. — Patrick Lyon, Builder.

first fire at which the hose company turned out was in old Har-
mony court, then called Whalebone alley, south of Chestnut street
and east of Fourth street, on the 3d of March, 1804, about three
months after the first meeting of its founders. As this was the
first occasion at which the first hose-carriage was in service at a
fire in Philadelphia, we pro]>ose to give a list of the members on
duty. The minutes record that there were twenty members pres-
ent— viz. Eeuben Haines, Roberts Vaux, Joseph Parker, Abra-
ham L. Pennock, William Morrison, William Morris, Charles E.
Vol. III.— 2 B

418 Annals of PhiladelpJiia.

Smith, Joseph Lea, Samuel Hazard, John J. "Wheeler, James P.
Parke, William C. Nesbitt, Ralph Smith, Lloyd Mifflin, Daniel
I). Smith, Charles Jones, James Chambers, Joshua Emlen, Charles
L. Smith, and John Rakestraw.

*' Lari2;e iron arms on iiandles were attached to each end, in size
nearly the width and depth of the ends of the body ; a roller, M'ith
small upright rollers at each end, was also attached to the toji of
the back of the carriage ; a lantern was placed on each side suit-
able for carrying a lighted candle in each : the branch-pipe was
fastened on one side of the carriage and the axe on tlie other.
The body was painted an olive-green on the outside and red on
the inside; on each side near the top Avas painted ^ Pinlada. Hose
Comp.;' some short time after the motto ' Non sibi scd omnibus'
was painted in a semicircle on the front, and under it ' Original
Institution, 1803' In August, 1804, the bell apparatus was
affixed to the carriage. In March, 1805, a railing Avas put around
the top to enable the company to carry eight hundred feet of hose.

"The second hose company was called 'Good Intent,' third,
'Resolution,' and fourth, ' Humane.' It is interesting to refer
to the minutes of the Philadelphia Hose Company, to discern
the spirit in which these rival institutions were regarded by the
mother company. Addresses were made to each, and in token
of the good feeling of the Philadelphia a copy of its constitution
and by-laws was presented in order to facilitate the new asso-
ciations in their action. The correspondence evinces the best
feelings and an elevated and courteous determination to make
their joint powers tend to the general welfare. As already
appears, the Philadelphia Hose and Engine companies were
located at the same house, and at the fire in Harmony court
both were promptly on the ground. The engine took a favor-
able position, and waited the flow of water from the hose ; the
director of the hose who had the command carried the attach-
ment from the hydrant on to the fire, and with a pipe played
directly from the hose. This attracted general attention ; it was
the first time the hose had been used, and the observation of all
was centred on the new company. A very worthy citizen, whom
many of us have seen in our day active at fires with his breeches
and stockings and buckle shoes, had command of the engine ; he
became impatient at the non-arrival of the expected water from
the hose, and on ascertaining the cause proceeded to the hose
director, who was, as he thought, usurping the functions of the
engine. The engine director demanded the water; the hose
director refused to yield the pipe. The engine director became
warm, indignant, vexed, and forcible; the hose director resolute
and silent. At last, to give a finishing argument to the hose
director, he cried out with some excitement, ' If thee don't j)ut

the Mater in the engine, I'll kick thee ;' but the noise of the

crowd drowned the last words, and the engine had on that occa-

Fires and Fire-Engines. 419

sion to be ?<atisfiod with the bucket supply. After the other hose
companies were formed, a joint meeting of the officers from each
company entered into a treaty to prevent any cause of difference,
and the routes to fires were agreed upon, as the localities of the
companies were in proximity. The Philadelphia, it was agreed,
should keep along Fourth street; the Good Intent, Chestnut
street; the Hesolution, Tiiird street; the Humane, Second street,
in order to prevent clashing; and when either was better manned
than the other, and behind, notice should be given before ])assing.
Prosperous, respected, and of high standing, the Philadelpliia
Hose Company was not exempt from trouble. The ' Good In-
tent' was one of the new companies just in existence, and took as
its model the 'first institution.' The 'machine' was almost a
fac-simile of the Philadelphia, and it was difficult to discover the
difference between the two. This gave great uneasiness to the
Philadelphia, and they passed a resolution as follows: 'Resolved,
As the Good Intent Hose Carriage so nearly resembles our own,
that a bell of convenient size be ])rocured and affixed to the car-
riage in such a manner that the discovery of the vehicle may be
facilitated by those members who happen to arrive at the house
after the hose is removed.' The duty of carrying out this reso-
lution devolved on ]\Ir. Parke. It .is somewhat doubtful if the
whole object of the bell is fully set out in the resolution ; a very
little pride was no doubt mixed up in the reason. However, be
that as it may, the bell was procured, and the report to the com-
pany informed them ' that it was made to move by means of a
spring, which was the jirime mover, and by which the effect was,
given to the entire structure.' It was a difficult business, this
fixing of the bell ; at last it was set up at the cost of eighteen
dollars and eighty-one cents. The Philadelphia rung itself into
new favor and into new trouble. The Neptune Hose Company,
a new company, determined to have a bell. This information
greatly troubled the Philadelphia ; they addressed the Neptune
— remonstrated — stated it would be a serious inconvenience to
the Philadelphia if carried into effect; they appealed to the Fire
Association, composed of the different hose companies for general
benefits and unanimity of action and police regulations. The
Neptune, hearing all that was said on behalf of the Philadelphia,
ordered the bell-maker to ])roceed. The Philadelphia members
were indignant; they voted thirty dollars to Mr. Parke to obtain
a patent for the bell lie, as the committee, had placed at the dis-
posal of the Philadelphia. The proper papers were sent to the
United States Patent Office, and, after some delay, in November,
1809, a patent was regularly issued 'for the attachment of an
alarm-bell to a fire-engine or hose-carriage or other vehicle for
conveyance of fire apparatus.' The bell on the Philadelphia was
marked 'Parke's Patent Alarm Bell.' Fifty dollars was the
price of the right to use this bell. Tiius armed, the Philadelphia

420 Annals of Philadelphia.

rung tlieir bell at the Neptune, and she yielded and took off the
one attached to lier carriage, and thus matters continued for some
years. But in 1812 the Good Intent was still intent u})on a
bell ; the bell was the ])eeuliar distinction of the Philadelj)hia,
and a monopoly of the music was not agreeable. The Good In-
tent ])laced two bells on their carriage; this the Philadelphia
looked upon as an infringement of its patent. The Fire Asso-
ciation, again appealed to, decided in favor of the Pliila(lelj)hia.
The Good Intent Avithdrew from the association. Still, the two
bells were continued on the Good Intent, and at last it was deter-
mined to commence proceedings under the patent in the Cinniit
Court of the United States, before Judges AVashington and
Peters. The plaintiff retained J, P. Ingersoll, Esq. ; the defend-
ants, P. A, Brown and J. B. McKean, Esqs. The trial was one
of interest; the charge of the conrt was with the plaintiffs, but
the jury, after considering about ten minutes, returned a yerdict
for defendants. The Good Intent applied for readmission into
the Fire Association, and the Philadelphia paid its connsel §50
more than his agreed compensation, because it was so well pleased
with his management of the case. Another example of the Phil-
adelphia worthy of general imitation. The Philadelphia deter-
mined to haye a peculiar distinction, and it inyented another bell
apparatus, fixing a lever to Avork by cogs on one of the wheels
with a crank connected with the bell. While the wheels were in
motion this bell rang continuously, and with this they were satis-
fied as a distingnishing badge. It was abandoned some time
afterward. In 1806, a new carriage was suggested as necessary,
and in the same year a new location for the hose-house was
desired. The committee on site re]iorted Fourth street between
Market and Arch, and Arch and Fourth streets ; both were un-
attainable. The same year, in December, the subject of firemen's
equipments was brought before the com]>any. A committee was
raised, which, after much discussion and difficulty, agreed ui)on a
uniform for the members. This was the first attempt of the kind
made among firemen. Hitherto, fire-hats of leather, painted and
inscribed with the name of the company, and leather badges for
hats with like inscriptions, were the only uniform per ,sc. The
committee reported the uniform as agreed upon, consisting of a
shirt of net-work, woollen drawers from the loins to the anUles,
and a short frock-coat of dark steel-mixed cloth, with a painted
cape and belt, suitably inscribed ; these, with the hats, constituted
the first firemen's equipments.

"Nothing worthy of jiarticular public notice occurred until
1814, when it was determined to construct a hose-engine, an en-
gine machinery, with hose carried on the same ap{)aratus. The
company had been engaged from 1810 to 1814 in considering
this idea; it was carried into effect at the cost of $1400.

" The apparatus was a hydraulion, and \vas a source of mucb

Fires and Fire-Engines. 42 i

difficulty to the company, as it required a division of tlie mem-
bers into classes for services as engine and hose men. The old
hose-ciirriage was removed to Twelfth and Clover streets, and
the hydraulion was located in the new house in Fourth street
above Arch. It is worthy of remark that to this hydraulion was
affixed a most peculiar alarm apparatus. Its novelty at the time,
and even now, renders it proper to record it here. At the back
of the body of the carriage was attached a *gong,' imported from
China by a member of the company, made of copper, round in
shape, very thin, and about eighteen inches in diameter. When
the carriage was proceeding to a fire a man was stationed at this
gong, who, running, struck it continually with an implement like
drummers use for the bass drum. Its sound was remarkable, and
attracted the most lively curiosity. This lasted but a short time,
but while it did last it was exempt from any attempts at com-
petition by other companies. In this respect, or at least as to this
feature of the apparatus, the Philadelphia Hose had no proceed-
ings at law to secure their peculiar distinction. It is a little odd
that this company was so tenacious as to its alarm machinery.
On one of the carriages was erected a bellows, located in the
front locker. It was constructed like a smith's bellows, and was
■worjved by the springs of the carriage when in motion. The air
escaped througii a vent, and the noise resembled that now made
by a steam- whistle — not so loud or clear in sound, but of some
similarity, however. This was used for a short time, and aban-
doned, giving place to the original l*ell.

*' The hydraulion lasted only about three years, and was sold,
to the great satisfaction of the company, in 1817 for the use of the
Insane Asylum. The hose used by the Philadelphia was origin-
ally leather, sewed, which was liable to loss and injury. The
company were constantly making experiments to improve their
apparatus. An experimental committee was appointed, and out
of its labors grew the great improvement in hose called riveted
hose. This was a long time under course of experiment. On
the 31st of 8th month, 1811, the comj)any published in the pub-
lic papers the following card: 'The Philadelphia Hose Company
will exhibit for trial an original specimen of ^^ rivet hose'' at their
hose-house to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock. The jiatrons
of the institution and members of other companies are resjiect-
fully invited to witness the experiment.' The minutes of the
directors, under the same date, record that there were present all
the directors. At the time a})pointed many respectable citizens
appeared to witness this interesting exjieriment. The result ' was
highly gratifying to all, and in an especial manner to the mem-
bers of the company, whose high ambition was to excel in objects
of public utility.' In October following an order for eight hun-
dred feet of this new hose was given by the company. The want
of proper persons to fill this order for the improved hose ro-
se

422 Annals of Pldladelphia.

quired that some of the members of the company sliould engage
in carrying on the business to ensure tlie comj)letion of tlie order.
J. Wainwright furnished the leather, and Jenkin & Son made the
hose at a cliarge of two doHars ])er day. Tlie rivets were made
at Wilmington, Delaware, and called Titania rivets. Ziba Fer-
ris, a member of the company, manufactured these rivets, so that
it may be said the invention and the manufacture both orig-
inated and were consummated by the members of the institution.
Thus, for a most valuable and im})()rtant invention are the pub-
lic indebted to the intelligence and energy of this UKiritorious
association.* In 1817 an alligator's skin was ])resented by Mr.
F. Kreeger to the hose company ; this was suggestive of a new
idea for hose material, some thinking that alligator-skin hose
would no doubt keep up the peculiar distinction of the company.
It was sent to a committee which consisted of William Lippin-
cott and John K. Kane, who reported against this amphibious
aqueduct.

"In the year 1817 the company had a disposition to take out
a patent for their riveted hose, but it was abandoned after much
correspondence between J. Sellers, who with A. L. Pennock was
a member of the company when the riveted hose was intro-
duced. Mr. Sellers was about to start the business for himself,
and he was left to carry it on. Sellers & Pennock afterward be-
came a famous firm in this dejiartment.

"In 1823 Mr. S. V. Merrick, one of our most distinguished
machinists and a member of the company, made a new engine for
the company to take the place of the hydraulion. It had both a
forcing and suction action ; the cylinder was eight inches and a
half in diameter, with eleven hundred feet of hose attached. This
engine drew water eighty feet, and forced one hundred and thirty-
four feet from the l)ranch-})ipe. On many occasions at fires this
engine carried and threw the water five hundred feet.

" In 1828 the company were required to leave Fourth and
Arch streets, the location granted them by the Zion Lutheran
Church. They sought a suitable site, and at last selected the
one they now occupy.

" In 1832 the com])any gave up all its ideas about hydraulions
and engines, and returned to its original idea of a hose-carriage.
One was purchased for five hundred and forty dollars, and in
1835 a tender was obtained. Still, the hydraulion seemed to have
friends and admirers in the company, and in 1835 one was again
ordered of Merrick &, Agnew, but it was not completed. A hose-
carriage was obtained in 1837, and again a new^ one in 1839.
During 1848 the present carriage was made of the finest and best
materials by Watson, and of most finished workmanshij), at a cost
of over one thousand dollars.

" In 1849 the company were anxious to erect a new hose-house,
and designs were otl'ered — one by Charles M. Slocum, Esq., a

Fires and Fire-Engines. 423

member of the compaii}', which was worthy of much praise. At
last a most suitable phiu for a building was agreed upon, and we
are now for the first time occupying it."

This building stands (1879) at the south-east corner of Seventh
and Filbert streets, and was vacated on the disbanding of the
com})any on the creation of the Paid Fire Department.

On the 15th of December, 1853, the fiftieth anniversary of the
formation of the company, fifty-one members, with invited guests,
met at the La Pierre House, in Broad street below Chestnut, then
kept by Taber & Son. Among the after-dinner table-speeches,
James P. Parke, the oldest member present — whose name stands
fourteenth on the roll, and who was elected seven days after
the institution of the company — read the following historical
paper :

" At this season, when we are assembled at the festivities of the
fiftieth anniversary of the formation of this institution, I am de-
sirous of commemorating the names of the two orio-inal leaders in
the respective departments of our voluntary fire associations —
the engine and hose companies.

*'0n December 7, 1736, the first engine company was estab-
lished in this city. It was organized by twenty individuals,
among whom was the celebrated Dr. Franklin, and an impression
has gone abroad that to him we are mainly indebted for its for-
mation. But this is by no means the case, lor his name is found
the seventh on the list. At the head of that list — an illustrious
list, gentlemen, as the commencement of that long series of patri-
otic men who have for a hundred and seventeen years so nobly
devoted themselves to this laudable purpose — stands the name of
Joseph Paschall, and let it ever be remembered through many
successive generations as the name of the first volunteer fireman
of the city of Philadelphia. Think you that if Dr. Franklin
had been the founder of the Union Fire Company, his colleagues
would not have paid him the compliment of the first signature?
Certainly. But he was not the man. It was to the exertions
of Joseph Paschall, 'as the most energetic and worthy towai'd
the establishment of the company,' that this compliment was paid,
and while the records of that company remain there will continue
that decisive testimony.

" Human nature is the same in all ages, and we should render
the same homage now to the founder of any institution. ' There
is not the slightest evidence given, in a careful revision of all the
proceedings of the Union, that Dr. Franklin did more than any
other member either toward its original formation or subsequent
management. Indeed, his political character called him more away
from the meetings of the company than the other members.'

*' I need not dwell, gentlemen, on the name of the great leader
in the other department of our voluntary fire associations — the
founder of this company. His name is at the head of your list,

424 Annals of Pliiladclplna,

and familiar to you all. And some of us who are now present
can east our view back in the vista of the last fifty years, and
bring to our remembrance all the events of the dawn of this com-
pany, so interesting to our youthful feelings.

" I therefore beg leave to propose the following sentiment:

'• ' The memory of Joseph Paschall and Reuben Haines, the
great names which stand as leaders of the two respective branches
of our voluntary tire department — the first fireman and the
first hoseman of this city ; and while FJnladelplda shall stand may
the Union be preserved in righteousness and justice.' "

The following historical memoranda are taken from the Hose
Company's minutes:

The Hose Company was instituted January 2d, 1804. — Jan-
uary 27th, !1801, Schuylkill water introduced by a canal, two
steam-engines, and pipes. — December 13th, 1803, fire in Sansoni
street, south side, consumed and injured eight new houses nearly
finished; not extinguished for three hours; high wind, the whole
row in danger ; great want of water ; suggestions and expedients
to prevent extending of fires. Three days after the fire a meeting
of citizens was held, parapet walls and unconnected eaves pro-
posed ; idea of hose in place of lanes proposed by Reuben Haines.
Several companies possessed hose to connect with nozzle of en-
gines, and so to the fire. — April 13th, 1804, hose divided into
sections, eleven of fifty feet and two of twenty-five feet, with
swivel screws and uniform standard size to fit every plug. — Octo-
ber 8th, 1804, it is mentioned that the city has been exempt from
fire for four months! — October 10th, eighty hydrants and forty-
four fire-plugs in the city ; March 25th, 1805, one hundred and
twenty ; September, 1805, one hundred and fifty-one.

The old University buildings, on Ninth street below Market,
were torn down in the summer of 1829, and the new ones were
completed in time for the fall lectures. Many now living no
doubt remember the "old Dilly," which occupied the engine-
house on the north, and the " Washy House" on the south. All
the University buildings, engine-houses, etc., have gone to give
room to a splendid government post-office building.

The Northern Liberty Hose and Steam Fire-Engine Company,
No. 4, one of the famous organizations of the old volunteer fire
department, instituted May 7, 1828, was for many yeai-s located
in New ISIarket street, and nearly all the prominent men of that
section of the city were connected with it as active, contributing,
or honorarv members. It dissolved after an existence of nearly
forty-nine years, and its affairs were wound uj), the assets being
divided among the members. The close of its existence was
marked by a banquet on Feb. 21, 1877, at New Market and
Brown streets, Conrad B. Andress, Esq., for many yeans presi-

Fires and Fire-Engines. 425

dent of the company, occupying the chair. A feature of the oc-
casion was the presentation to Charles S. Austin, Esq., member
of the Board of Public Education from the Eleventh Section, of
a handsome gold watch and chain bearing an appropriate inscrip-
tion. Mr. Austin had been for twenty years secretary of the
company. Tlie Northern Liberty Hose Company members were
known as the "Snappers," hence the gift bears this symbol among
its decorations.

The Washington Hose Company from 1811 stood on the Uni-
versity lot. When the house was torn down in 1829, they re-
moved the materials and put up a tem])orary house in Rowland's
court, running back from Zane (now Filbert) street, below Eighth.
After that they moved to North street (now Morgan), above Tenth.
After standing there a short time the company moved to the double
frame house on Market street, next to the pottery, near Schuylkill
Fifth (Eighteenth) street. A number of citizens in the western
part of the city put up that double frame building for the use of
any companies that would occupy it. The company soon found
this location to be too far out. The most of the members lived
east of Ninth street. At an alarm of fire, by the time they ran
out and brought the carriage in, the fire would be extinguished.
The company then moved to Tenth street below Arch — not on
the brewery lot, but tlxrther up. This was about 1831. It after-
ward moved to Ninth street, between Ai;ch and Filbert streets.
While the Washington Hose stood out Market street no other
company stood alongside them ; nor has any other fire company
been located on that street since the time of the Union and Sun
engines, which stood in the market-house at Front and Market
streets, except the Diligent, which stood on the south side of
Market street below Eighth, from whence it removed in 1807 to
the University lot on Ninth street, and from there moved in 1830
to Filbert above Tenth, until it built a house at the south-west
corner of Tenth and Filbert streets.

The fire company occupying the building on Broad street near
Bainbridge, west side, before the establishment of the paid fire
department, was the Harmony Engine Company. The building
was occupied originally by the Franklin Hose Company, which
bought out the rights of the Harmony in order to get into the
Fire Association, and changed the name accordingly.

The Delaware Fire Company removed from Cherry street
above Third between 1840 and 1845. It was afterward located
in the western end of the tobacco warehouse on Spruce street
below Dock. Finally, the engine was purchased by the Phila-
delphia and Reading Railroad Company, upon the introduction
of steam fire-engines into our city, for the protection of its jn'op-
erty in Pottstown, and was used for that purpose until the intro-
duction of steam there. It was some years since sent to Cata-
wissa for the same purpose.

36*

426 Annals of Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania Hall was burned by a mob May 17, 1838. No
lives Avere lost on that occasion.

The great fire Avhich commenced on Delaware avenue near
Vine street, and which extended south toward Kace street and
west toward Second street, took place on Tuesday, the 9th of
July, 1850. Three hundred and sixty-seven houses were de-
stroyed. It was also the day of the death of President Taylor.

Bruner's cotton-factory, corner of Nixon and Hamilton streets,
was burned November 12th, 1851. On that occasion three per-
sons were killed by jumping from the upper windows, and many
were injured.

The great fire at Sixth and Market streets took place April
30th, 1856 ; at Jayne's buildings, in Chestnut street, March 4,
1872, loss §300,000; Dock street, May 19, 1872, loss §750,000.

IXTRODUCTIOX OF STEAM FIRE-ENGINES.

Tiic history of the introduction of steam fire-engines into Phil-
adelphia is an interesting one. The steam fire-engine, after en-
countering great o[)position, by its own merits made itself ])opular
in our conservative city. Here everything new is received with
caution and ventured upon deliberately and carefully. When the
utility of it becomes manifest, i^rcjudice at once breaks down, and
the innovation becomes immediately as much an object of favor as
it formerly had been one of opposition. But this conservatism is
united with common ?sense, and a right decision is generally
reached. It was so with the steam fire-engine. First received
with derision, illustrated squibs having been published in the
papers, and such names as " The Great Squirt " and " The Old
Dominion Coffee-Pot " having been given to it, it was next threat-
ened with violence; but steadily made its way in public estima-
tion, and especially Avith the firemen, who saw its advantages and
the increased efficiency which it would give to their department,
and thus render its services more valuable to the })ublic. With-
out tiieir appreciation of this fact and their cordial co-operation
the work of improvement would have been long delayed. True,
some attempts were made by the disaffected of the fire department
— that portion of it which may be entitled the " rowdy " element
— who saw their occupation was gone. But the public hailed in
the steam fire-engine their deliverance from the noise and confu-
sion caused by the turbulent portion of the firemen, and the dan-
ger from their frequent brawls, as well as more assured protection
to their proj)erty. " We had tired of firemen's fights, as they had
lost their novelty ; we had become tired of a race to the fire-local-
ity, and the new houses had become common all over the city.
There was a calm resting over this social element, which to the
thinking indicated a coming excitement. Since 1850 we are now
speaking. The first new invention which agitated the dejiartment
was the police and fire-alarm telegraph. The idea of giving an

Fires and Fire-Engines. 427

alarm of fire by lightning set the fire comjianies by the eyes and
ears. Wire from poles along the streets, with signal-boxes and a
system of signals to indicate the locality of the fire, was introduced.
Then began the new check. Electricity to give the alarm re-
quired steam to extinguish the fire. This was a consequence, if
not a corollary. Experience of fifty years demonstrated the in-
efficiency of the old hand-engines ; they Avere too heavy, too slow,
and too exhaustive of energy at a large fire. A prejudice fifty
years old is a strong, well-built prejudice, and stands any quantity
of hard knocks. Just such a prejudice was built up to guard the
fire department from the assaults of novelties or new ideas. That
prejudice had to be broken down by stubborn facts and decided
advantages gained."

The Philadelphia fire department was placed under charge of
a chief engineer by ordinance of January 30th, 1855. The first
engineer was Benjamin A. Shoemaker, who was succeeded by
Samuel Patrick Fearon, and subsequently by David M. Lyle,
Terrence McCusker, and George W. Downey.

Cincinnati was the first city to use steam fire-engines, but Phil-
adelpiiia was the first to produce a machine that proved a model
for other cities. In February, 1855, Mr. E. Latta of Cincinnati
arriv^ed with a steam fire-engine, the " Miles Greenwood," and
proposed to Councils and the fire department to exhibit it in ac-
tion. The Philadelphia Hose Company lent Mr. Latta sufficient
hose and the services of some of its members to make the trial
satisfactory. The trial was made at Dock street wharf in presence
of many persons. Though the engine performed satisfactorily, its
action was received with groans by many firemen present, and
the Philadelphia Hose was hooted at as they left the ground.
By sensible people and the benevolent members of the fire depart-
ment the exhibition was well received and favorably thought of,
but the firemen mainly continued opposed to it. It could not
throw the water as far as some of the hand-engines in use.

Thus matters remained until the 24th of May of the same year,
when Mr. Sliawk of Cincinnati brouy;ht on the " Young Amer-
ica." By order of Councils a private trial was had in the yard
of the County Prison, where it worked well. A public trial was
lield in Arch street above Tenth on the 1st of June, and another
at the foot of Dock street on June 4th, both with much success.
The report said : " The engine has the capacity of discharging the
full amount of 500 gallons of water per minute, or 30,000 per
hour, through a l|^-inch nozzle, to a distance of 175 feet, and
maintaining a constant stream of that capacity ; which is equal to
at least seven of our first-class engines when operated by hand."
The Committee on Trusts and Fire recommended its adoption,
but the finances were embarrassed and Councils declined to i)ur-
chase it. It was therefore bought for $9500 by some merchants,
underwriters, etc., and presented to the city. It was a cunibrous

428 Annals of Philadelphia.

affair, weighing 20,000 pounds, and required tliree or four horses
to pull it to fires. As no company could afford to keep it and
use it, Councils })laced it jn the hands of" the chief engineer of
the fire department, and appropriated $5000 for the maintenance
of the machine, though not without great opposition. A house
Avas erected at Front and Noble streets, an engineer and assistant
Avere chosen to direct her, and everything ])urchased necessary
except horses. The Young America remained in the hands of
the city for tliree years at a cost of §20,000, but Avas of little
service, having really attended only three fires in that time. Not-
Avithstanding many large fires occurred, it remained in " masterly
inactivity," as the machinery Avas seldom in order, and it had to
be dragged to the scene of action by firemen, Avhich was such an
arduous task it Avas rarely performed. At the burning of ]Me-
gargee's board-yard at Poplar street Avharf, October 7th, 1856, it
did good service under the care of the Philadelphia Hose Com-
pany and United States Engine Company.

On the 30th of January, 1857, a special meeting of the Phila-
delphia Hose Company was called to receive or refuse a steam
fire-engine, the "Fire-Fly," a New York machine, belonging to
Arthur, Burnham & Gilroy, a manufacturing establishment of
this city, Avho had offered it to the company for use free of ex-
pense. The company accepted it, and asked Councils that they
might be allowed to run the Fire-Fly to fires Avithout regard to
the district system. On the 2d of February, 1857, the Fire-Fly
Avas tried at the tobacco warehouse, Dock street. It was after-
Avard returned to the firm its owners, who finally abandoned it
or returned it to New York, as the Philadelphia " boys " Avere
disgusted Avith it.

On February 9th, at a meeting of the hose company, a com-
mittee of five were appointed to solicit funds from the insurance
companies for the maintenance of the machine. Messrs. Myers,
Allen, Grice, Phillips, and A. J. Miller were appointed, but they
did not act.

But Mr. C. Tiers Myers was satisfied that Philadelphia me-
chanics could build an improved machine that Avould be lighter
and more efficient than any yet constructed. He therefore —
though his proposition Avas at first receiA'^ed Avith jeers — per-
suaded the company at a stated meeting April 13th, 1857, to
jniss the folloAving resolution: "Resolved, That a committee of
three be appointed to invite the mechanics of Philadeli)hia to
submit plans and estimates of a steam fire-engine." Messrs. C.
Tiers Myers, John E. Neall, and Thomas S. Crombarger Avere
chosen as the committee, to Avhom Avere added Hon. John K.
Kane, judge of U. S. District Court, Samuel V. Merrick, Rich-
ard Vaux, and William D. Sherrerd. INIessrs. Myers, Neall,
and Crombarger then adA'ertised in the public papers, inviting
plans and proposals for building a steam fire-engine, and received

Fires and Fwe-Eng'mes. 429

in reply an offer from Joseph L. Parry, their fellow-townsman
and fireman, to build an engine for $3500 of best materials and
workmanship, with twenty feet of suction and fifty feet of forcing
hose, two hose-pipes and five nozzles, and two tongues — to throw
water through a nozzle 1|^ inch in beam 194 feet horizontally, two
streams through |-inch nozzle 175 feet; and the engine to weigh
5500 pounds without water, 800 pounds more with it.

The company adopted INIr. Parry's design, and the engine was
built by Peaney, Neafie & Co. of Kensington, and proved a com-
plete triumph of the world-renowned skill of Philadelphia me-
chanics, and a monument of the public spirit and enterprise of
the old Philadelpliia Hose, No. 1, the pioneer fire organization
in steam apparatus, as it had fifty-four years before been the
pioneer hose company, and which manfully bore the brunt of op-
position to its introduction into the fire department of the city.

]\Ir. Myers, as chairman of the committee, diligently set to
"work to raise $5000, the sum needed — $3500 for the engine, and
$1500 to enlarge the house for its accommodation. He succeed-
ed, most of the insurance companies subscribing liberally, besides
many merchants. The late Joseph Harrison, Jr., was the first
who subscribed, putting his name down for $100.

A few days after the Philadelphia Hose Company adopted
measures to secure the Fire-Fly, the Diligent Engine Company,
in a spirit of laudable rivalry, about February 1st, 1857, applied
to the City Councils for the use of the steamer Young America,
and to apply a certain amount to put her in service and keep her
in running order. Nothing was done, and in January, 1858,
Councils were again applied to to restore the engine to the trus-
tees for the original owners ; which, after persistent and contin-
uous efiPorts of V. Harold Myers, was done, and the trustees
handed it over to the Diligent. She continually wanted re-
pairs, and was tinkered at by Shawk & McCausland. Finally,
she was cut down and rebuilt by McCausland, and made much
lighter, and was kept in service.

The Philadelphia, after a successful trial at Reaney, Neafie &
Co.'s, Jan. 20, 1858, received their engine, housed it, and stabled
their horses, ready for the first alarm. It was christened the
"Philadelphia." Their first public trial, Jan. 21, 1858, was in
Arch above Tenth street, when they threw an inch-and-a-quarter
stream over the steeple of Wadsworth's church, 160 feet high.
They then marched down Chestnut to Seventh with tiie engine,
which attracted much attention, people lining the sidewalks to
view the pioneer Philadelphia engine. At a fire back of Filbert
above Eighth, February 28th, she proved her value, for they
forced through over 300 feet of hose and ])ut upon the fire a
powerful and well-managed stream, which did more good than
the puny etforts of all the ordinary hand-engines on the
ground.

430 Annals of Philadelphia.

A public competition was had at Noble street wharf with Youno
America in June. The Youn^ America threw a distance of" 130
feet, and the Philadelj)hia 231 feet. Another trial against tliree
Boston steamers was held in that city in September, the Philadel-
phia bringing home $500 as the highest prize. On returning
home through New York they served at a fire, but the old hos-
tility against steam-engines was rampant, and they were insulted,
but the New York fire companies amply atoned for it.

In 1859 the Philadeipiiia introduced the new " Bliss" coup-
lings for uniting sections of hose and attachments. In Dec,
1859, they played three streams on a fire at one time.

In 1860, several members improved the pump, so that it
worked much more efficiently. Their names are Kershaw, Neal,
Parry, Wallace, Grice, Kurtz the engineer, and others. AVith
this improvement, in March, 1861, the Philadelphia beat the
Cohocksink, built in New York. The Philadeli)hia threw a
stream through a l|-inch nozzle 275 feet horizontal, with 90
pounds of steam, though they could have raised 180 pounds.
The Cohocksink made 240 feet as the highest. At another trial
near Fairmount Waterworks the Philadelphia threw streams
through U, 11, and 1| nozzles 286, 288, and 285 feet; two
streams at once, 225 feet 6 inches; four streams at once, 167 feet
6 inches; six streams at once, 165 feet each. She also threw a
l|-inch stream 295 feet 6 inches. This exploded the theory that
atmospheric pressure would prevent water from being thrown
more than 250 feet.

So early as 1860, only three years after the Philadelphia was
ordered, there were in the city 21 steam fire-engines, at an
average cost of $3250, which with the hose, the hose-carriages,
the houses, the horses, harness, and other equipments, involved
an interest amounting to $210,550. .

The next to adopt steam was the Hope Hose, M'hich was early
in the field, in June, 1858, with an engine built by Reaney & Co.
At the contest between the Philadelphia and Young America the
Ho])e, though the smallest of the three, threw a stream 212 feet.

The Hibernia, the Weccacoe, and the Delaware Engine com-
panies soon also had ordered steam-engines. In that same year
(1859) twenty steam fire-engines were built for companies in the
city, and it so continued, until at the present time the old hand-
engine is ra])idly passing from the memory of the inhabitants.

^ Captain Ericsson designed the first steam-engine in London in
1828. It had a working cylinder of 12 inches, two double-act-
ing force- ])umps, and threw water over the tops of chimneys of
the breweries. A second one did good service February 13, 1830.
He came to America in 1839, and shortly after received the gold
medal of the INIechanics' Institute of New York for an improved
design.

Tlie Friends. 431

THE FRIENDS.

The desire of making proselytes and spreading the word of
God induced the followers of George Fox to come to America.
They settled in New England and New York, where they still
met with persecution. Some landed on the Delaware in 1665,
where the town of Salem sprang uj), and in 1677 others followed
and settled Gloucester and Beverly (afterward named Burlington).
George Fox came over in 1672, from England vid Jamaica, thence
to Maryland, and .to Middletown, New Jersey, where there was
already a meeting. He returned through New Castle to Mary-
laud, and sailed for England.

The Quakers prospered, and regular meetings were held weekly,
monthly, and quarterly at Burlington and Rancocas. At Shack-
amaxon the first was iield in 1681, and in 1682 in the city, as
being more convenient. In 1685 the meeting-house at Centre
Square was built, and at the same time the meeting-house on the
river-bank, in Front above Sassafras street — of frame and for
evening meetings, Centre Square being too far out for evening
meetings — was going on. This was replaced by anotlier in 1703.
The Haverfoi^d Monthly Meeting was formed in 1684, composed
of the Schuylkill, the Merion, and the Haverford. The burying-
ground of tlie Schuylkill Meeting, and periiaps of Centre Meeting
also, lay on the west side of the Schuylkill, north of High street.
In after years this ground, with other belonging to the estates
of Willing and Powell, finally came into the possession of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

The first schism in their meetings arose from the defection of
George Keith, who set up new interpretations of doctrine, and
with his adherents established a meeting under the title of
" Christian Quakers," and built a log house on Second street
belo\y ]\Iulberrv. Pamphlets were published by both parties, for
one of which Keith and Thomas Budd were indicted, tried, and
fined £5 each. At the Yearly Meeting of the Friends one of
Keith's adherents read a challenge from him to hear his appeal,
climbing up into the window of the meeting-house and reading it
while Thomas Janney was at prayer. Keith himself used such
violent language as "hypocrites, snakes, vipers, bloodthirsty
hounds, impudent rascals, and such like, bidding them cut him
in collops, fry him, and eat him, and saying that his back had
long itched to be whipped." Keith carried his intemperate zeal
so far as to erect a gallery in the Friends' meeting, intending to
be present on First Day, but which was torn down i)y Robert
Turner, one of his own trustees.

He finally went to London with Budd, and was there disowned
by the Friends, and afterward became an Episcopal clergyman.
His followers changed into Quaker Baptists, and finally into

432 Annals of Philadelphia.

Seventh-Day Baptists and other denominations. Some returned
to Friends, others went to the Episcopal Cluiroli. In after years
a dispute arose between Christ Church and tiie Baptists for the
possession of the lot on Second street below Mulberry, but the
Baptists retained possession.

In 1683 a Friends' Meeting was established at Tacony or
Frankford, and one at Byberry ; also at Germantown. In 1695
the Merion meeting-house was built, near the General AVayne in
Montgomery county, about five miles from the city, and still
stands, the oldest meeting-house for Friends in the State.

The Welsh settled in 1698 on a tract of 10,000 acres at Gwyn-
edd or Xortli Wales, and erected a meeting-house in 1700 under
the lead of John Hughes, John Humphrey, Cadwalader Evans,
and others. Plymouth Meeting was held as early as 1699.

The meeting-house in Philadelphia, at the corner of Second
and High street, was built in 1695, on land contributed to
George Fox by Penn for the ])urpose, though it was not selected
at the spot Avhere Penn wanted it. It was taken down and re-
built in 1755, and torn down in 1810, after a new one was erect-
ed at Fourth and Arch streets, 180.4, on ground given by Penn
for a burying-ground Oct. 18, 1701.

In 1703 the Friends purchased four acres near the Germantown
road, now between Xinth and Tentin and Indiana and Cambria
streets, at a cost of £8, which was afterward called Fairhill. To
this a few years afterward was added a gift by George Fox of
twenty acres adjoining. Also a lot on the south side of High
street, between Third and Fourth streets, and another on the west
side of Front street, between Sassafras and Vine streets and the
Bank lot in front of it to the Delaware. Upon the Fairhill prop-
erty a small meeting-house Mas built, which has since been made
part of a stone house adjoining.

About the same time a number of Friends Avho had been wor-
shipping for several years near Whitemarsh built a meeting-
house, known as the Plymouth Meeting, now in Montgomery
county.

Horsham Meeting was settled September, 1716, and the house
was erected about 1721.

The Byberry Meeting erected a new and larger stone house in
1714 in place of the old log house. The glass was inserted in
leaden sashes which were hung on hinges.

Maiden Creek jNIeeting, above Reading, and Oley Meeting Avere
established about this time, and in 1737 were joined with Gwyn-
edd under the title of Oley Monthly Meeting; the name was
changed in 1742 to Exeter Meeting, as in the division of town-
ships it came within Exeter.

In 1701 the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting established a Sev-
enth-Day meeting for ministers and elders, which after fifty years
was changed to Second Day. At first a sort of school of practice,

The Friends. 433

it became a school of criticism on the discourses delivered on the
previous day. The meeting for sufferings, afterward for disci-
pline, was established to collect the accounts of the sufferings and
trials endured for the maintenance of the faith.

In 1702-3 George Keith, now a minister of the Church of
England, returned to this country, and attempted again to dis-
seminate his doctrines, but the Friends would not suffer his pres-
ence and expelled him from their meeting-houses. Pamjihlets
again became plenty.

The constant attempts made to take away the political power
from the Quakers, the dominant party in the offices, were more
vigorously made about this time by the Church party, who succeed-
ed in having a law passed by Parliament that an affirmation was
not binding enough to entitle them to give evidence in criminal
cases, serve on juries, or hold any place of honor or profit under
the government. But in 1721 the right of affirmation was re-
stored to them by an act of Assembly, which was ratified by the
Privy Council in 1725.

In 1720 another form of persecution was started in the objec-
tion to Quakers wearing their hats in court, but Sir William
Keith finally granted the right for ever.

The question of slavery, which had been opposed by some ever
since Pastorius's protest in 1688, supported by others and winked
at by the remainder, periodically disturbed the Friends. In 1711
the Chester Quarterly Meeting declared their dissatisfaction, and
advised Friends to be careful. In 1712 and 1714 Philadelphia
Yearly advised London Yearly that they were op]>osecl to it, and
asked them to advise against it; and 1715 Philadelphia advised
that Friends importing negroes should be dealt with. In 1716,
Chester Quarterly " cautioned," but '' not censured," Friends
against buying negroes from importers not members, and, later,
to not buy any more hereafter imported by any one. And again,
in 1730, '35, '36, and '37, they advised against purchasing negroes
"hereafter to be imported." It was a hard matter to give up
that which they thought was of profit to them, notwithstanding
a very strong treatise against slavery was published by Ralph
Sandiford in 1729. This was the first known treatise against it,
and the overseers of the press of the Society of Friends hatl not
courage sufficient to sanction its publication. This was followed
in 1737 by Benjamin Lay's All Slcwekeepers Apostates, a volume
of nearly 300 })ages, which ought to have stirred up the Friends
against the practice, from his strong way of putting it. (For ac-
count of Benjamin Lay see Vol. II. p. 23, and Vol. I. p. 135.)
In the following year Burlington Yearly denied their approba-
tion of his book. Every few years a new blast would be issued
against buying newly-imported slaves, but the practice of hold-
ing them was continued, particularly such slaves as were born in
the country.

Vol. III.— 2 C 37

434 Annals of Philadelphia.

The Friends, p. 499.— See Col. Recs., i. 378, for minutes of a
petition presented by George Keith against Thomas Lloyd, etc.,
June 20, 1693. A writer in the Christian Observer (a Presby-
terian newspaper published in this city in 1853) says: "The
early marriages of Friends took ])lace in private dwellings prior
to the erection of the first meeting-house, and are now to be
found on record. I have examined the first volume, commen-
cing with the year 1672 and ending with 1758. The volume is
in excellent preservation, and contains some of the finest speci-
mens of good writing I have ever seen."

The First Record of Marriages, p. 503. — The records of the
early marriages of the Friends alluded to are in the possession of
the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia, at their meet-
ing-house on Arch street, and there preserved in their ample fire-
proof vault. A custodian is regularly appointed by the meeting
— one of the overseers — whose duty it is to read the certificate at
the time of the wedding, and see that it is properly signed, the
witnesses to the "solemnization and subscription " also signing
their names. The certificate, with the signatures of the husband
and wife, and also the names of the witnesses (sometimes in great
numbers), are afterward duly recorded by him in the books de-
signed for that purpose. Caleb H. Canby performed this duty
very acceptably for many years — up to the time of his death in
1852. The Arch Street ]Meeting, being the "old original," kept
possession of the old records, so that Mr. Canby had control of
them for the time being, and could have properly shown them to
any one wishing to examine them. The present custodian is
George I. Scattergood of Xo, 413 Spruce street — a worthy Friend
of a later generation — who no doubt would cheerfully give access
to them for any legitimate purpose.

In the early part of the eighteenth century the minds of
Friends were much disturbed on the subject of marriages between
first cousins, or one person marrying two sisters, or a man marry-
ing his wife's first cousin, or justices of the peace undertaking to
marry people by virtue of licenses obtained to that end, or mar-
riages by members of the sect with others not of that persuasion,
or young couples "keeping company" without the consent of
their parents. In 1725 and 1731, Chester and Burlington
Monthly Meetings sought the advice of Yearly Meeting upon
these subjects. Decisions were rendered by the latter against all
these points in 1733, 1739, and 1749.

Not only were the l)oundaries limited in which a man might
marry, but courtship itself was difficult, few opportunities being
offered for enjoying amusements together. The only recreations
were tea-drinking and visits to the weekly, monthly, and yearly
meetings. City and country acquaintances interchanged visits
at these periods, which increased the opportunities of seeing each
other.

Free Quakers. 435

Nicholas Wain, p. 507. — He was quite a distinguished man
among Friends, both as a lawyer and a preacher, though rather
eccentric. He generally attended at Pine Street Meeting. On
cue occasion a Friend — R. H., who usually attended the meeting
in Keys alley — went to Pine street, and after meeting fell in with
Nicholas, and said to him, " Friend Wain, I have come to thy
meeting this morning." The old man replied, " I am glad to
see thee ; it is good for calves to change pasture occasionally."
In 1780 he gave an "opinion" on Quakers refusing to pay
" Taxes to Carry on War." (See it at length in Archives, viii.
81, and a letter of Pres. Reed to him on the subject, lb., p. 101 ;
also Col. Recs., xii. 244.)

He lived in Second street below Spruce,* west side, and had his
office in a one- or two-story building on the street where his
house stood, and where a new house was afterward built, and
once occupied by the Rev. Dr. Ely. This square is very much
changed ; formerly they were large old-fashioned houses of brick;
many have been altered into stores and others pulled down. His
son erected a fine house at the south-east corner of Seventh and
Chestnut, with two small wings to it, which was afterward owned
by Dr. Swaini, and on the site are now three granite stores.

FREE QUAKERS.

The Friends, who have always been very conservative, were
mainly inclined to the royal cause in the Revolution, partly from
their love of ease in their ways, and partly because they were
opposed to fighting principles. Some few, particularly of the
younger members, sided with the Whigs, and openly expressed
their sentiments and advocated resistance. The Tory portion
issued " The Ancient Testimony and Principles " in support of
"the happy connection " aud "subordination to the king," and
warned " to guard against joining in any measure for the assert-
ing and maintaining our rights and liberties." They issued an-
other address as late as Dec. 20, 1776.

Among those who acted boldly with the patriots was Timothy
Matlack, who was an Associator and a colonel, a member of the
Committee of Safety and of the Supreme Executive Council, and
active all through the Revolution ; also his son, and Thomas
Mifflin, who afterward was major-general, member of Congress,
and governor of Pennsylvania.

The Quakers disowned all who diifered with them, whether
they took part in military or civil affairs of the time which in
any way aided the patriot cause. Those who were disowned
issued an address declaring they had no new doctrines to teach,

436 Annals of Philadelphia.

but only wanted to be freed from ecclesiastical tyranny, to leave
every man to think and judge for himself.

The Free Quakers — or, as they were generally called, the.
"Fighting Quakers" — held monthly meetings and two meetings
a week for religious services. They demanded of the older sect a
division of the property, the use of one of the meeting-houses and
of the fc^urial-ground. Failing in obtaining their rights, they
a])plicd to the Legislature. The Assembly laid the petition on
the table, but the House appointed a committee to confer with
the memorialists.

The Free Quakers formed their Monthly Meeting Feb. 20,
1781, at the house of Samuel Wetherill — who was appointed
clerk — in Front street' between Arch and Race. He was an
eminent preacher, and author of a tract called Apology for the
Rcligioxis Society called Free Quahers, and another on The Divin-
ity of Christ, besides other writings. Of the earliest members we
have the names of Isaac Howell, llobert Parrish, James Sloane,
White ISIatlack, Moses Bartram, Dr. Benjamin Lay, and Owen
Biddle. They met at each other's houses for religious meetings
for some two years, until the purchase of a lot corner of Fifth
and Arch streets, on which, with the assistance of citizens, they
erected the building now used by the Apprentices' Library, and
which the owners rent for a nominal sum on account of the good
the library does.

The Assembly in 1786 granted them eight lots for a burial-
ground on Fifth street below Locust, west side, which is still
enclosed with a brick walK The bodies of the founders lay
there, but others have not been buried there for a long time until
permission was granted to bury the soldiers who died at our
military hospitals, thus worthily carrying out the principles of
the Fighting Quakers. The meeting-house was used until about
1835, the numbers gradually being reduced until but one member
would be present every First Day. The property is in the hands
of trustees, descendants of the original owners.

llie first-born, p. 512. — " Mary, the daughter of Lyonel and
Elizabeth Brittan, born 13th day of the 10th mo., 1680, the
first-born of English parents in the county of Bucks, and prob-
ably of the State of Pennsylvania." Her parents arrived in June,
1680, and erected a dwelling, and were comfortably settled .^ome
time previous to the summer of 1682, when a large number of
emigrants arrived, and of course before Penn, M'ho arrived in the
autumn, in October {Ducks Co. JReco7'ds: Carr.)

JoJin Key, ]). 512. — Proud, vol. i. 234, says: "I have seen
him myself more than once in the city, to which, about six years
before, he walked on foot from Kennet, about thirty miles from
the city, in one day."

As my father bad seen Proud many a time, he of course had
seen a man contemporary witli the first-born in Philadelphia.

The Vineyard, etc. 437

The Vineyard, p. 519. — Part of the Vineyard estate of Jon-
athan Dickinson was sold, and passed through conveyances by
Thomas Lloyd, John Delaval, and others to Richard Hill in
1719, upon which he built a mansion, and the estate of over
three hundred acres became known as " Green Hill." It extended
from the Wissahickon (or Ridge) road eastward as far north as
Poplar lane. He did not live long to enjoy it, as both himself
and wife, as well as his son, died, and it came by his will into
possession of Lloyd Zachary in 1729.

The Vineyard was so called because it was here that Penn at-
tempted his experiment of wine-making. He sent over Rev.
Charles de la Noe, " a French minister, of good name .... and
a genius, to a vineyard and a garden." De la Noe only lived one
year, having died in 1686. Under Andrew Doz, a Frenchman,
the vineyard prospered, though but little wine was made. Upon
this ground the village of Francisville, which is now lost in the
great city, was built; its bounds can be distinguished by its
streets, which run parallel to and at right angles with Ridge
road, between Sixteenth and Twentieth streets and Fairmount
and Girard avenues.

The Dickinson estate ran along the Schuylkill north of Fair-
mount, including in it what was then called "Old Vineyard
Hill," afterward " The Hills " under Robert Morris, and again
" Lemon Hill " under Henry Pratt. It extended back from the
river to King's road, afterward called the Wissahickon road, and
now Ridge road, commencing on the latter at Coates street, and
running beyond Turner's lane. Of course it took in the ground
on which Girard College now stands. The Vineyard House
stood upon Coates street and the Ridge road.

EdvKird Shippen, p. 523. — There is in vol. xxxv. p. 301 of the
Records in the Secretary of State's office, Boston, an order to Ed-
ward Shippen (" now intending for Pennsylvania ") to purchase
powder at Philadelphia. It is dated March 14, 1690.

Watson is in error in attributing the fine to Edward Shippen;
it Avas Edward Shippen, Junior. (See Balsh's Shippen Letters
and Papers, p. 18, note; also Minutes Com, Council, 1704-76, p.
63.)

Edward Shippen's patent for land on the soutliern side of the
city was dated October 20, 1701 ; Cedar street was the northern
boundary, and about Fourth street the eastern. It contained 260
acres, bought from the Swansons, who had it by patent from Gov-
ernor Lovelace in 1664. It covered a large part of South wark
and Moyamensing.

P. 537. — Franklin loved to show his humor, as tlie following
account of an accident to himself will show; he published it in

the Gazette in September, 1731 : "Thursday last a certain p r

('tis not customary to give names at length on these occasions),
walking carefully in clean cloaths over some barrels of tar on

37*

438 Annals of Philadelphia.

Carpenter's wharff, the liead of one of them unluckily gave way
and let a leg of him in above his knee. Whether he was on the
latter at that time we cannot say, but 'tis certain he caught a Tar-
tar. 'Twas observed he sprang out again right l^riskly, verifying
the common saying, As nimble as a bee in a tar-barrel. You
must know there are several sorts of bees. 'Tis true, he was no
honey-bee, nor yet a humble-bee, but a boo-bee he may be alloM'ed
to be — namely, B. F. — N. B. We hope the gentleman will ex-
cuse this freedom."

Dr. Franklin sat as a judge of the Common Pleas of Phila-
delphia in 1749 in the old court-house, Secontl and Market
streets. He withdrew from judicial duties in consequence of
" finding that more knowledge of the common law than he pos-
sessed " was necessary to enable him to act " with credit" in that
capacity. There was a bill of exceptions signed by him, Edward
Shippen, Joshua Maddox, and other justices in the case of Wil-
liam vs. Till, June term, 1749.

The ancient painting of the royal arms and the letters A. R.
(Anna liegina) which formerly hung over the bench in that
c^urt-house are in the Historical Society rooms.

Franklin in 1750 competed for the office of Recorder with
Tench Francis, and " notwithstanding the vast superiority of the
former's capacity and character, he had but nineteen votes, and
the latter had twenty-four."

The Electrical Apparatus, p. 535. — The formation of the Junto
by men fond of science gave a great stimulus to its advancement.
In June, 1740, a course of philosophical lectures and experiments
were given by Mr. Greenwood in the chamber adjoining the
library in the State House, followed in 1744 and 1750 by two
other courses by Dr. Spence, a Scotchman. Dr. Spence's lectures
excited Franklin's attention to the wonders of electricity, which
was increased by actual experiments by him on the arrival of a
present of an electrical tube, made to the Library Company by
Peter Collinson of London in 1746. In July, 1747, Franklin
conveyed to Collinson the results of his observations.

Thomas Hopkinson discovered "the wonderful cU'ect of pointed
bodies both in drawing off and throwing off electrical fire." Hop-
kinson, Rev. Ebenezer Kiunersley, and Philij) Syng were associ-
ated with Franklin in his electrical experiments. The beginning
of the theory of positive and negative electricity was deduced
from these observations. The results of insulation and other
things were explained, together with some amusing uses of elec-
tricity. Franklin also corres|)on(led with Colliuson about the
Leyden jar at this time. In 1749, Franklin explained the j)he-
nomena of thundergusts and aurora i)orealis u])on electrical {)rin-
ciples, and also thought that lightniug might be drawn from the
clouds by means of sharj)-pointed iron rods, in the sauie manner
as electricity could be drawn by points — electricity and lightning

Descent of the Baches, etc. 439

being:, according to his opinion, the same. This idea suggested
the invention of the lightning-rod, and was the means of Frank-
lin's subsequently trying the experiment of drawing lightning
from the clouds by the use of a kite.

Dr. Franklin, p. 537. — He died 1790 in his own house, in a
court leading south from Market street, between Third and
Fourth, The building was torn down rruny years ago, and the
court cut through to Chestnut street and called Franklin place
(see invitation to his funeral, Penna. Arch., xii. p. 85). He was
buried in Christ Church ground. Arch and Fifth streets. A
portion of the wall was removed and railed in by subscription in
Sept., 1858, to enable passers-by to see the tombstones of himself
and wife.

Descent of the Baches and Duanes from Benjamin Franklin. —
William J. Duane married a daughter of Richard Bache the firf<t,
whose mother was Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Frankliix . The
editor of the Aurora was Benjamin F. Bache, a brother of the
lady who married William J. Duane. William Duane, who
succeeded Benjamin F. Bache as editor of the Au7'ora, married
the widow of Benjamin. By this marriage there were six chil-
dren, two of whom are still living. There have been more
than one hundred and twenty descendants of Richard and Sarah
Bache, of whom about eighty are now living in Massachusetts,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland,
California, and the District of Columbia. The late Alexander
Dallas Bache was one of these. In 1843 he resigned several
positions to become president of Girard College, in behalf of
which institution he had previously made an extended tour in
Europe to examine the system of instruction there. He remained
at the head of Girard College until 1853, when he took charge
of the United States Coast Survey as superintendent, and this
position he held at the time of his death. The college was not
opened for the reception of pupils until January 1st, 1848.

Broom-corn was first introduced into this country by Dr.
Franklin, who planted a single seed which he obtained by acci-
dent, and from it he raised enough of the plants to make brooms
for his own family, and was able to give away seeds which were
planted in other portions of the country. Most of the broom-
corn is now grown in the valley of the Connecticut, and a full
field of it when in bloom is said to present a very beautiful ap-
pearance. Every year enough of the plants are raised to make
more than twenty million of brooms, many of which are exported
to England.

The Bradford Family, p. 543.— "27th April, 1693. Upon
reading the petition of William Bradford, printer, directed to
his Excellency, wherein he sets forth that in September last
[this minute is not to be found in the Col. Records as printed,
and is perhaps lost] his tools and letters were seized by order

440 Annals of Philadelphia.

of the late rulers for printing some books of controversy, and
are still kept from him, to the great hurt of his family, and
prays relief. His Excellency did ask the advice of the board.

"The several members of Council being well acquainted with
the truth of the petitioner's allegations, are of opinion and do
advise his Excellency to cause the petitioner's tools and letters to
be restored to him.

"Ordered that John White, sheriif of Philadelphia, do restore
to AVilliam Bradford, printer, his tools and letters, taken from
him in September last." {Col. liecs., i. 366, 367.)

Thus Bradford has the honor of being the first man to stand
trial in defence of the liberty of the press of this country, and
the first to issue proposals for printing the Bible, which he
did 14th of 1st month, 1688, " for the printing of a large Bible,"
price 20s.

In 1863, May 20th, the Xew York Historical Society cele-
brated the two hundredth anniversary of his birth ; a new monu-
ment was erected in Trinity churchyard, the first having been
broken in erecting the new church. John William Wallace of
this city delivered the address; a supper and ball were given, and
other imposing ceremonies took place. It appears from an ad-
dress before our Historical Society by Hon. Horatio Grates Jones
that Bradford was one of the first owners of the first paper-mill
(Ritten house's) at Roxbury.

Andfeio Bradford, p. 546. — Besides the publishing of the
Mercury, Bradford did printing for tlie public and the author-
ities, and a.s he commanded nearly all the printing of the Prov-
ince, it was profitable. In 1725 he published the almanacs of
Titan Leeds, John German, and John Hughes. From this time
forward he began to meet with greater opposition, Keimer, David
Harry, and Franklin & Meredith springing up and establishing
themselves as printers and publisliers. Before Franklin started
for himself, on his return from England he worked for Bradford,
his former employer, who sent him to Trenton with a press to
print ])aper-money for New Jersey Province, Bradford having
contracted to print it.

Bradford printed in 1729 in his Mercury an essay signed
"Brutus or Cassius, or both, appears to reflect upon the King
and Government of Great Britain, and to invite tiie inhabitants
of this Province to throw off all subjection to tlie regular and
established powers of Government." It proved to be written by
one Campbell, "a parson of dissolute character," who had re-
moved from Newcastle county to Long Island. Bradford was
arrested for libel, prosecuted, but it does not appear he was ever
tried for it, though he printed another article equally bold in the
next paper.

Bn,dford printed Leeds' almanac, the author of which, Frank-
lin prophesied, would die at a certain day and hour. He, how-

John Bartram, etc. 441

ever, outlived the time by five years, when it was continued for
some years by Bradford.

In 1727, Andrew Bradford was a member of Common Council.
In 1728 he was appointed postmaster of the city, being the suc-
cessor to Henry Flower ; he remained in office nearly four years.
He kept the office at his store in Second street below Market, the
sign of the Bible ; in 1738 he removed to No. 8 South Front
street. In December, 1739, he took into partnership his nephew,
William — not his son, as Watson states, I. 547 — in the" publication
of the 3Iercury. He died in 1 742, and the partnership continned
a year after his death, when his widow, Cornelia, and Isaiah War-
ner continued it for a time.

John Bartram, p. 548. — His life, in connection with that of
another botanist, H. Marshall, has been published by Dr. Wil-
liam Darlington, late of West Chester, who was himself a most
eminent botanist, doing a vast deal of good by elevating the lite-
rary tone and reputation of Chester county and by the publica-
tion of his botanical works. Flora Cesfrica ; or, Botany of Ches-
ter County, and his Noxious Weeds and Useful Plants.

John Bartram's house was erected between 1728 and 1731,
though it is doubtful if he had the ability of erecting it with his
own hands, as stated by Watson. It was built of hewn stone,
and the garden was six or seven acres in extent. It adjoined
'' the lower ferry." Upon the extensive grounds which sur-
rounded it plants were first cultivated in America for medicinal
purposes. On the west side of the Schuylkill, near to the site of
the ancient dwelling, is now erected the Philadel))hia, Wilming-
ton, and Baltimore bridge. Upon a stone in the wall of the
house can yet be seen this inscription : " John and Ann Bartrim,
1731." This house is now the property of Andrew M. Eastwick,
who built an elegant mansion upon the grounds. Bartram's
independent religious views caused him to be excluded from the
Monthly Meeting of Friends at Darby in 1758. He died in
1777, in his seventy-sixth year.

Samuel Keimer, p. 557. — Keimer in 1728 attempted to extend
his business by setting up a lottery of goods and plate, to be held
at the fair. The Council on May 16th, hearing of it, sent for
him, and ordered that no lottery be kept during the. said fair.
His business was not profitable; he got a small share of printing
to do, and he printed pamphlets, which he sold in his small shop
with a variety of other articles, such as stationery, bayberry-
wax candles, and fine Liverpool soap. His two best workmen,
Franklin and Hugh Meredith, left him one after another, joined
in partnership, established another printing-office, and became
formidable rivals. They entertained a project of starting a rival
paper to Bradford's Mercury, which Keimer, hearing of, endeav-
ored to forestall them in, as has been already related in these
volumes. He also endeavored to act as agent while publishing

442 Annals of Philadelphia.

his paper, and opened an office, called " The Friendly Office, for
the sale of all sorts of goods cheaply," acting as factor and adver-
tiser of property consigned to him, charging a commission of six-
pence on every twenty shillings sold. Keimer's want of business
honesty and ability, assisted by articles published in the Mercury
by Franklin, Breintnall, and others, brought the ])aper into ridi-
cule, and after publishing it nine months for ninety subscribers,
his debts obliged him to sell it for what he could get, and it fell
into the hands "of Franklin & Meredith for a small sum, who
soon made it successful under the title of the Pennsylvania Gazette.

David Coningham, p. 555. — This should be David H. Conyng-
ham, who was father of Redmond Conyngham, who married a
daughter of Judge Yeates, and lived and died near Mount Joy
(or Paradise), Lancaster county. He was a member of the Leg-
islature, and wrote a good deal on the history of the State, of
which he furnished many articles for Hazard's Register of Penn-
sylvania.

The Claypole Family, p. 558. — Watson must have made a
mistake. John, the son of James Claypoole, came out with
Thomas Holmes, surveyor, in the Amity in April, 1682, and
James Claypoole himself was in England when Penn was sup-
posed by J. C. to be "halfway to" Pennsylvania — viz. Oct. 1,
1682. (See extracts from J. C.'s letter-book in Annals Penna.,
pp. 557, 595.) He was the first treasurer, as well as a partner
in the Free Traders' Company. {Annals Penna., pp. 580, 595.)

French Neutrals, p. 559. — See an interesting address respecting
them delivered before the Pennsylvania Historical Society by
William B. Reed, March 24, 1856, and printed in the U. S. Ga-
zette about that time.

Robert Proud, p. 564. — See his biography in memoirs of His-
torical Society. Also his likeness, chair, and cane in the Society
rooms. The likeness of him is pretty good ; it was executed
many years after his death, partly from a sketch in profile and
partly from recollections of those who had seen him, as my father
had done many a time, as Proud lived at 38 Xorth Fifth street,
between IMarket and Arch streets, within a square of my grand-
father's residence, in Arch below Fifth street.

CHARLES THOMSON.

Charles Thomson, p. 571. — He was very intimate with my
grandfather, Ebenezer Hazard, who M'as postmaster-general of
the United States at the time Thomson was secretary of Congress,
particularly during his translation of the Xew Testament. This
work was in four volumes, octavo, and was printed and published
by the two in partnership, which my grandfather was induced to
enter into from his intimacy with the translator and having re-
vised and corrected the MSS. Mr. Thomson at the time lived in
the country, in Merion township, at his place called Harritou, a

Charles Thomson. 443

few miles from the city. As his translation progressed and chap-
ters of it were ready, he would send them in to my grandfather
for revision and suggestions. These my ancestor would make
and return the MSS., and then would follow Mr. Thomson's ac-
ceptance of the alterations or his discussion about their merit ;
but I find in most cases he adopted them with thanks. I have
a quantity of these letters which Mr. Thomson wrote. These
MSS. and letters were conveyed in a tin box by a special mes-
senger on horseback. The publication did not prove a profitable
one, and my grandfather bought the edition, and it was stored in
his garret for years, and after his death sold for waste paper to
Dr. Earle, a bookseller at the corner of Fourth and Chestnut
streets ; so that nearly the whole edition was destroyed save the
copies that were sold and subscribed for. This accounts for the
extreme rarity and value of the book. My father very often saw
him at his father's, where he always stopped when he came to the
city. He describes his appearance as that of a tall, slender, ven-
erable, aged man. A sketch of his life by Rev. Charles West
Thomson was published in the memoirs of the Pennsylvania His-
torical Society.

Charles Thomson, " The Man of Truth.'" — Charles Thomson
took the minutes as secretary for Teedyuscung, the famous Del-
aware chief, at a conference held with Governor William Denney
of Pennsylvania, attended by his Council, in March, 1758. The
circumstances from which the appointment arose occurred at a
treaty held at Easton previous to this time, probably in 1756,
and were thus related in after years by the venerable secretary
himself: He had gone to attend the treaty with a number of
the distinguished inhabitants of Philadelphia of that day, not
only because he was in ill health and thought the journey would
be beneficial to him — in which he was not disappointed — but
likewise on account of the Indians and the interest which he took
in their affairs. His ingenuity had led him to the invention of a
new method of short-hand writing, and during the treaty he took
down the transactions of its business and the speeches of the chiefs.
Upon the reading of the report made by the secretary of the gov-
ernor and Council, at one passage of it Teedyuscung arose, and,
contradicting the statement which had been read, requested " to
know what that young man's paper said," alluding to Charles
Thomson, whom he had observed to be thus occupied. He was
then desired to read his notes for tiie Indian's satisfaction ; which
he did, and they received the complete approbation of his audi-
tors and the chief's confirmation that such had been his words,
and " the young man's pajwr had spoken the truth." No further
objection occurred, and the natives soon after held a council
among themselves and adopted him into one of their tribes,
giving him, according to their custom, a new name, which sig-
nified, iu the language of the Lenni Lenape, " the Man of

444 Annals of Philadelphia.

Truth." And well did his conduct during the war of Inde-
pendence and after merit the appellation. In extreme old age
he said he had lived so long as to forget his Indian name, and
got a friend to write to John Heckewelder, who sent it to him in
the Delaware languafre.

P. 575. — Benjamin AVest, the painter, was born in Springfiekl,
Pennsylvania, October 10, 1738. He left this country in 1760,
when his style was unfinished, and therefore could not be justly
considered an American artist, as he finished his studies in Eu-
rope, where he remained. Byron speaks of him as

" West,
Europe's worst daub, and England's best."

WilUam Ttuf(h, p. 575. — This artist was born July 4, 1756, and
died January 27, 1833. William Rush was a ship-carver, and
never aspired to a much higher grade ; but his figures are gene-
rally fine, and if he had lived at a time when there was a chance
for a statuary to make a living by his art, he would doubtless
have attained a high reputation. His figures have strength,
delicacy, and spirit. We may mention as instances the statues
of Tragedy and Comedy which were in front of the old Chestnut
Street Theatre ; the reclining figures which crown the entrances
to the wheel-house at Fairmount ; the statues of Faith and Jus-
tice in the great room at the same place; and the well-known
figure of the Xaiad with a Swan, once used as a fountain at Centre
Square, and now at Fairmount. The statue of Washington in
Independence Hall was made by Rush as a figure-head for the
ship Washington of this port, aYid the eagle over it was carved
by the same artist to hold up the sounding-board of the pulpit
of the Enirlish Lutheran Church (Mayers'), Race street, between
Fifth and Sixth.

Figure-head on the Constitution. — The figure-head of General
Jackson ujion the frigate Constitution was removed in 1834 by a
seaman — Samuel H. Dewey of Boston — who considered the pla-
cing of the image of any man upon such a ship a profanation. In
Burton^s Gentleman^ s Magazine, vol. v. p. 301, appears quite a
sketch of the transaction by the author of " Old Ironsides Off a
Lee Shore." He was travelling about the country a few years ago
with photographs of himself, and an account of the decapitation
transaction. The Constitution was sent to France in the spring
of 1835, and returned in the summer of the same year with Ed-
ward Livingston, our minister at the French court, who was or-
dered to leave the country on account of our troubles with the
French kingdom.

Voted a large edifice, p. 580. — This is a mistake. The large house
on Ninth street below Market, which was at one time occupied by
the University, was built by order of the State of Pennsylvania

John Fitch. 445

with the expectation that it would be used as the mansion of the
President of the United States. It was never occupied for that
purpose. Washington went out of othce before it was finished.
John Adams, to whom it was offered on lease, refused to occupy
it, preferring to remain in the house on the south side of Market
street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, which had been occupied
by Washington during the time he was President of the United
States. It was tendered to Mr. Adams March 3, 1797. (See
the correspondence between Governor Mifflin and Mr. Adams in
Dr. Wood's History of the University in Memoirs of tlie Histor-
ical Society of Pennsylvania, vol. iii. p. 247.) The University
bought the building and grounds in 1800. The centre building
had a high flight of steps. The old buildings were torn down
in the summer of 1829, and the new ones were completed in time
for the fall lectures. The "Old Diligent" occupied an engine-
house on the north, and the " Washington " on the south. The
two buildings erected in 1829 were torn down in 1874, and the
University removed to the new and elegant structures in West
Philadelphia.

Washington's House, p. 583. — It was No. 190 Market street.
(See Philadelphia Directory, 1794.) It was not what we M'ould
now understand as one door east of Sixth, though it was the first
house below Morris's at the corner ; it was some distance from
Sixth street.

John Fitch, p. 591. — My father had in his possession a manu-
script agreement, given to him by Hancock Smith, son of Wil-
liam W. Smith, who was well acquainted with Fitch, between
Fitch and Vail, and dated Mar. 7, 1791 — "Aaron Vail, of the
kingdom of France, but at present in the city of Philadelphia,
U. S. A., merchant." By this Vail undertook to proceed to
France to obtain a patent from that government, " grant, or spe-
cial contract, in the name of Fitch, for the exclusive privilege
of constructing, vending, and employing all species of boats and
vessels impelled or urged through the water by the force of
steam." Upon obtaining it he was to send an "official and certi-
fied copy of the gi'ant to Fitch in America," letting him know
his intentions and plans of procedure, and " shall provide for and
furnish a passage suitable for the transportation of the steamboat
mechanic from the city of New York or Philadelphia to such
part of France," etc. Fitch, on the fulfilment by Vail, "shall
and will procure and send agreeably to the direction of Vail a
mechanic acquainted with the construction of a steamboat or ves-
sel in such ample manner as to be able to superintend and direct
the building of a boat or vessel in France equally as perfect as
any that shall have been built or completed by the steamboat
company in America previously to his embarkation for Franc^e;"
"the mechanic to be paid a reasonable compensation by Vail for
his time and labor necessarily employed in completing the first

446 Annals of Philadelphia.

steamboat or vessel ;" three months after which he is at libertv to
return to America, unless desired by Vail, who is to provide the
passage. On his arrival in France he is to begin to build; Vail
to find funds, but not compelled to spend more than §2500,
specie. Profits on all the boats built to be equally divided be-
tween Vail and Fitch; dividends to be met at L'Orient quarterly.
Grants also to be obtained in Holland, Denmark, etc. It is lim-
ited to twelve months after the completion of the first boat; penal
sum, $10,000; signed by Aaron Vail and John Fitch; witnesses,
John Lohra, William Smith, and George Mercer. Endorsed,
" We, the subscribers, being a majority of the Directors of the
Steamboat Company in America, do consent that the above-
named John Fitch do for himself enter into the above articles of
agreement with Aaron Vail of the kingdom of France, and that
we will not do or commit any act or acts to counteract or invali-
date the intention and meaning of the above articles of agree-
ment." Not signed. Then, " I do hereby assign all my right
and title to these articles to tiie above-signed Benjamin Say, Ed-
ward Brooks, Jr., and Richard Stockton, Directors, for the benefit
of the Steamboat Company in proportion to the money they shall
have advanced for the perfecting of the scheme in America, at
the time of the completion of the first steamboat in France, ex-
cepting the share of Henry Voigt and my own." Signed, John
Fitch (L. S.).

Both of the pamphlets of Fitch and Rumsey are reprinted in
vol. ii. of Documentary History of New York, 8vo. (See anecdotes
of Fitch and Fulton sent my father by Thomas P. Cope, and
published in his Beg. Penna., vii. 91.)

THE LOGANS.

P. 594. — William Logan Mas succeeded by his son George,
who was born at Stenton in 1753, and died there in 1821. Edu-
cated as a physician at Edinburgh, he then travelled in Europe,
and while in Paris enjoyed the attentions of Franklin. He never
practised his profession, but devoted himself to his farm — in
which he was very successful — to literature, and to public inter-
ests and duties. He was an active member of the Society for the
Promotion of Agriculture, the first established in America, and
also of a county society which met at each other's houses. Dr.
Logan was a member of the Legislature and of the U. S. Senate,
and took a Avarm and active ]iart in public affairs. He enjoyed
the friendship of Jefferson, Franklin, John Dickinson, Timothy
Pickering, Thomas McKean, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and
other illustrious men. Many important state affairs have been

The Logans. 447

discussed under the old trees of Stenton, where Washington was
once a guest.

In 1798, Dr. Logan visited France at his own expense as a
mediator to stay the threatened war between France and Amer-
ica; on his own responsibility and as a private citizen he had
interviews with Talleyrand and Merlin, and his efforts were suc-
cessful ; the embargo was removed, American prisoners were re-
leased, other concessions made, and war averted. His act, but
not his motive, was denounced by partisans. Congress ])assed a
law to prohibit any one in future from holding intercourse with
foreicrn governments to influence their relations with the United
States. His conduct was approved by Governor McKean and
Mr. Jefferson. Notwithstanding this law, Dr. Logan "v^-ent to
England on a similar errand in 1810, and with the approbation
also of President Madison, who gave him letters of introduction
to eminent persons. He was not successful, but enjoyed the ac-
quaintance of Sir Samuel Romilly, Wilberforee, Thomas Clark-
son, Mr. Coke, the duke of Bedford, and the marquis of Wel-
lesley.

His widow, Deborah Logan, survived him for eighteen years.
Her friendship for my father induced her to loan him for publi-
cation many valuable papers, which will be found reprinted in
the Megister of Pennsylvania. She was an estimable lady, for
many years Stenton's brightest ornament, remarkable for mental
endowments and moral virtues. She lived through the Hevo-
lution ; she saw its beginning, the agony of the contest, and the
prosperity and happiness that followed its close. As she was
well acquainted with the most eminent men, her recollections and
personal anecdotes were full of interest. The archives of her
own and her husband's family made her familiar also with tlie
details of the colonial history. She collected and preserved them
with care, and copied many valuable paj)ers — among others the
correspondence between James Logan and William Penn — and
these, with some interesting memoirs written by herself, are now
in the Philadelphia Library and the repositories of the American
Philosophical and Pennsylvania Historical Societies. INIuch of
the material she saved and put in order has been used in these
volumes. Her life was chiefly devoted to the duties and affec-
tions of home ; with unaffected and unostentatious benevolence
and piety, with cheerful, cordial, and gracious manners of the old
school, her animated, benign, and venerable countenance was lit
up by the charms of her conversation and the beauty of her daily
life. She died at Stenton February 2, 1839, and was buried in
the family graveyard.

448 Annals of Philadelphia.

MRS. ANN WILLING MORRIS.

Mrs. Ann Willing Morris, relict of W. Morris, Esq., of Peck-
liam, died at her residence in Gerniantown January 11, 1853, in
her eighty-fifth year. Her life extended over a long period, tlie
most eventful in the annals of time. She was familiar with the
voice and address of AVashington, and prattled to him as she sat
on his knee; Franklin, Hamilton, Jeffereon, and Adams, and
their contemporaries of rank and mark, were habitual guests
among her kindred. "With a fine education, partly derived from
Anthony Benezet, and an intelligent mind, she was an accurate
observer of the noted events passing around lier.

Mrs, jNforris was a daughter of Charles Willing, a prominent
name in the early mercantile history of Philadelphia, whose
father, of the same name, held the office of mayor at a time
when, more than at present, that post Avas regarded as one of
much distinction, and usually conferred upon those of the magis-
tracy who had earned it by service to society or through recog-
nized and substantial merit. Mr. Willing was mayor in 1748,
and again in 1754; and it is perhaps remarkable "that so many
persons connected with the subject of this notice by kindred ties
or by marriage should have been chosen to the same office. Ed-
ward Shippen in 1701 M'as the first mayor of Philadel[)hia. He
had been elected Speaker of the Assembly in 1695, and from
1702 to 1704 was president of the governor's Council. Anthony
Morris was mayor in 1704, and again in 1739; AVilliam Hudson
in 1726, Henry Harrison in 1762, Thomas Willing in 1763, and
Samuel Powel and Robert Wharton in subsequent time.

Mr. Powel inherited the Avealth, with the substantial respecta-
bility, of his father, whose activity, shrewdness, and thrift placed
him among the wealthy and influential citizens of the time. Mr.
Thomas Willing was eminent as a successful merchant, and Avas
president of the first Bank of the United States and member of
Congress in 1776.

At the house of the younger Mr. Powel, her uncle by marriage,
at her own home, and at the residences of her grandmother and
aunts, Mrs. Morris was constantly i a the society of many of the
most eminent of the day. Her spirit of loyalty and strong Whig
principles, imbibed from such associations, showed themselves not
only in public deeds of good to the cause, but in private life, and
she was one of those who refused to participate in the festivities
of the Meschianza, notwithstanding the fashionable influence
brought to bear. As a petted child she was permitted to be
present at the marriage of General Arnold with the daughter of
Cliief-Justice Shippen. Of the character and ex})loits of the
traitor she in after life spoke in detestation ; and for far more
serious cause did she then sympathize with her grandmother, the

SHIPPEN'S HOUSE WHERE ARNOLD WAS MARRIED.— Page 448.

ASTOR, LENOX AND

Ill's. Ann Willing Morris. 449

aunt of " the beautiful bride," in her sorrow and surprise that so
great a sacrifice was permitted to one so much her senior, a wid-
ower with children, and who, by herself at least, was not regarded
with the confidence and respect necessary to render the connection
desirable or agreeable. Owing to a recent wound, received under
circumstances which would alone have established a claim to
grateful remembrance had not his subsequent extraordinary de-
fection obliterated his name from the roll of his country's heroes,
Arnokl during the marriage ceremony was supported by a soldier,
and when seated his disabled limb was propped upon a camp-
stool. These woiuids may perhaps have made him more interest-
ing to the lovely but unfortunate bride. At all events, her
" hero " except for his character for extravagance, was then re-
garded Avith a share of public favor, if not with any feeling of
popular affection. He had rendered " some service to the state,"
and was distinguished for gallantry among the bravest of the
land. It is as unjust as vain to urge, as some have done, in pal-
liation of his stupendous crime, the fashionable and expensive
propensities of his accomplished wife. That she was addicted to
displays of wealth inconsistent with the spirit of her time and
the condition of public affairs may not with propriety be ques-
tioned ; but no external influence can move a truly great and
honorable mind and heart from a fixed purpose of patriotic or
social duty.

Mrs. Morris's recollections of the British army when in posses-
sion of Philadelphia were very fresh. The regiment of High-
landers, Colonel Hope, was exercised in front of her grand-
mother's residence, the band practising the music, spreading the
books or sheets upon the steps ascending to the entrance of the
house. On one occasion, on her way to school and passing this
regiment drawn up in line, happening to wear a dress of High-
land plaid, she attracted the notice of the soldiers ; the word was
spoken, and, child as she was, they cheered her as she moved
timidly and quickly away. The tender chord of thoughts of
home had been struck.

Her anecdotes of the French princes — the duke of Orleans,
afterward Louis Philippe, and his brothers, Mont])ensier and
Beaujolais — were entertaining. Her recollection of Franklin,
who was an honored guest in well-informed circles — of his man-
ners, humor, and style of conversation — was undimmed. One
conversation at the residence of her grandmother Willing she
particularly remembered : its subject soon after became invested
with peculiar interest. When Mr. Thomas Prior suggested to
the illustrious philosopher the practicability at will of drawing
lightning from the clouds, she beheld with almost reverential awe
the man who believed iiimself possessed of wiiat, to her young
mind, seemed a miraculous power. Why Mr. Prior did not him-
Belf apply to his theory the test of experiment was a matter of

Vol. III.— 2 D 38 *

450 Annals of Philadelphia.

surprise to all. It was frequently discussed in the circles in
which she moved. Wliether his omission to do so was the result
of a procrastinatincr habit, a deficiency in enterprise, or that he
was anticij)ated by Franklin, is now unknown; but certain it is
that Franklin, with charactpristic promptitude and tact, acting on
the suggestions of his friend, achieved the triumph, and to him
the glory has been decreed.

Mrs. Morris was the last of the band of twelve who assumed
the pecuniary responsibilities attending the services of the church
and in all the measures preliminary to the organization of the
parish of St. Luke in Germantown.

The Madisonian war, with its many disasters and final tri-
umphs, was a well-remembered history. Her only son she en-
couraged in the acquisition of military tactics, and promptly con-
sented to his enrollment in the Washington Grays, cheerfully
prepared the necessary articles for the march and the camp, and
buckled on his knapsack to join the encampment under General
Cadwallader at Kennet Square and Camp Dupont, bidding him
" Go, in God's name, and with her blessing." And when an-
other com])any on the march passed her dwelling and halted, she
amply supplied them with refreshment.

JOHN STODDART.

About the year 1816, Mr. John Stoddart of the city of Phil-
adelphia was one of our most active business men, commanding
unlimited credit and the confidence of the community. What-
ever he touched, either in real estate or merchandise, made a
" rise in the market," and he was for many years one of the
solid men of the city. His residence was at the south-east corner
of Seventh and Race streets, facing Franklin Square.

The house represented in those days a palatial residence. It
was torn down a few years ago, and replaced with a more modern
structure. His property accumulated and rapidly advanced in
value, including some of the most valuable business sites in the
city of Philadelphia. He extended his operations beyond the
city — in the West and in this State. Owning some thousands of
acres of land in the counties of Luzerne and Monroe, at the head-
waters of the Lehigh, and depending upon the partial promise of
the Lehigh Navigation Company to extend their canal to that
point, he located and built the town of Stoddartsville, consisting
of a large mill, a store-house, a hotel and many neat cottages,
making it one of the most attractive villages this side of Wilkes-
barre and upon the summit of the Pokono. A line of stages in
those days, over a well-made pike from Easton to the latter town,
after a most romantic drive would land you in the village, four-

Crazy Nor ah. 451

teen miles from the Susquehanna at Wilkesbarre, and an equal
distance from White Haven, the present terminus of the canal.
The village, deprived of the projected improvement, now cut off
from all railroad communication, and having been subjected at
various times to " fire in the mountains," is but a miniature of
that which the founder contemplated at the beginning. Coal
and iron are said to exist in this locality.

A few years later Mr. Stoddart, an active business-man, en-
gaged in dry-goods, book publishing, and speculation, but some-
what reticent, witliout advice or consultation (too proud to ask
for aid, too honest to defraud), made an assignment of all his
property for the benefit of his creditors, amounting to the sum
of $600,000 (in those days a larger sum than dollars now repre-
sent). One of his assignees, the late respected Thomas Fletcher,
informed the writer that "all his liabilities were paid in full, and
our expectation was that we could pay him back at least a fortune;
in this we failed."

After Mr. Stoddart's assignment he moved to the house in
North Seventh street, adjoining the Jewish synagogue, a prop-
erty built prior to 1776, and the birthplace of his wife in llevo-
lutionary times. The property still remains to her descendants.
Subsequently he removed to the house at present occupied by
the Women's Christian Association, in which he died, leaving an
honored name to his descendants.

Mr. Stoddart's family consisted of thirteen children, of whom
six sons preceded his death. Two sons, Curwen and Joseph, for
forty years or more have conducted a large dry-goods business on
North Second street. The second son, Isaac, was given at an
early age the supervision of the Stoddartsville estate. He
married Lydia Butler, daughter of Colonel Zebulon Butler of
Wyoming fame. He built a substantial residence on the banks
of the Lehigh in the county of Luzerne, now the residence of
Mr. Lewis Stull, an extensive lumberman of that region.

CRAZY NORAH.

Many who read this will remember Crazy Norah, a tall woman
with sharp, firm features, a clear black eye, and iron-gray hair,
and whose quick step, together with her peculiar dress, gave her
a masculine appearance. She was quiet and harmless, unless oc-
casionally irritated by boys. She was rather fond of children,
and would often take them by the hand, induce them to say tiie
Lord's Prayer and the Catholic Creed, and then reward them with
some trifle from the large bag she invariably carried, such as a
button, a piece of colored china, old ribbon, or some similar
thing of little or no value. Her history, like that of many de-

452 Annals of Philadelphia.

mented people, was romantic. Her real name was? Honors
Power, and she was from Limerick, Ireland. Her father, a
farmer, died when she was quite youno^, leaving her an orjjhan
with an annuity of £50. At his death she went to reside with
her sister, whose dissolute husband spent all the property of both
Honora and her sister. She then came to America, and lived out
as a servant — at one time at a young ladies' boarding-school at
Third and Walnut streets. About this time she, attending St.
Mary's Church, became interested in jNfr. Hogan's preaching and
appearance. The terrible riot at St. Mary's in 1822, in which
the }>ews and altar of the ciiurch were destroyed, and the excite-
ments attending; the troubles of the church durino; the Hosran
controversies, upset her mind, and from being a smart, honest,
and good servant she became a helpless object of charity. In a
few years her excitement calmed down, and she endeavored to
earn her own living. Por a number of years she lodged at the
Friends' Almshouse in Walnut street, where she was kindly
treated. She was sane on many points and methodical in her
ways. During the day she was continually on the tramp, and
w^as as well known to the children in Frankford, Germantown,
Roxborough, Haddington, or West Philadelphia as to the chil-
dren in the old city proper. She had a pleasant word for every
one she met. She was so well known that she was employed as
a dun to collect difficult debts, in which employment she was in-
defatigable, and often successful ; and always made her returns
promptly and correctly, as she was shrewd and honest in all her
business transactions. She thus supjjorted herself almost to the
day of her death, which occurred Feb. 15, 1865, when she was
about sixty-seven years of age. It occurred at the Almshouse,
where she had been about a year. She constantly attended St.
John's Cathedral. Her quick, active step had become feeble, her
bright eye had lost some of its fire, and her black hair had be-
come quite silvered. Her costume usually consisted of a not
very full nor long dress, compressed at the waist with a belt and
buckle; over this was M^orn a camlet cloak fastened at the neck,
mostly of plaid material. She wore a pair of high-top boots and
a man's hat — in winter a rather broad-brimmed stove-pipe hat,
and in summer a tall straw hat. Around her neck she wore a
rosary and beads. Thomas IMacKellar wrote a piece of poetry
on her.

3IaelzeVs Automaton Trumpeter. — This wonderful piece of mech-
anism, invented in the early ])art of the present century by M.
Maelzel, was exhibited in 1877 to a party of gentlemen at 926
Chestnut street by Mr. E. N. Scherr, Jr., who now has possession
of it. The trumpeter has recently been uniformed as an English
dragoon, and plays a number of military airs Avith the precision
and elfcct of a human jieribrmer. It has been nearly fiity years
since it was first brought to Philadelphia, and since then it has

MaelzeVs Trumpeter. 453

lost none of its original novelty, and is as much of a wonder to-
day as it was at that time.

The first public mention of the trumpeter was in the Journal
des 3Iodes for 1809, at which time it was exhibited at Vienna.
About 1830, M. Maelzel came to this country, bringing the
trumpeter and also the chess-player, another clever piece of
mechanism, but which was not an automaton in the correct sense
of the word, as its actions were controlled by a skilful human
chess-player, who was concealed within the figure.

The trumpeter was first exhibited on Fifth street below Adel-
phi, in a building which stood on the present site of the Messrs.
Tathams' building. Here Mr. Maelzel had a diorama of the
'^ Burning of Moscow," which was a favorite entertainment.

The late Signor Blitz, then a young performer, also appeared,
and the trumpeter was exhibited by M. Maelzel, who would
wheel it out on the floor and touch a spring on the shoulder
which started the mechanism. He would then seat himself at
the piano and play the accompaniment and variations while the
automaton played army calls, marches, etc.

After remaining here for some time, M. Maelzel took his ex-
hibition on a travelling tour, returning to Philadelphia and ex-
hibiting at the north-east corner of Eighth and Chestnut streets.
Maelzel afterward went to Havana, taking Signor Blitz and the
automaton with him. Here he was unfortunate, and becoming
dispirited and his health failing, he started again for Philadel-
phia, but died on shipboard, and his effects were sold to pay his
passage. A number of gentlemen, among whom were Dr. Mit-
chell, Constant Guillou, and Robert Cornelius, purchased the
chess-player, which was placed on exhibition in the Chinese Mu-
seum at Ninth and Sansom streets, and it was lost in the fire
which destroyed that building.

The trumpeter was placed in the old Masonic Temjile, and
afterward passed into the possession of the late Mr. E. N.
Scherr, a music-dealer on Chestnut street, to whose estate it
now belongs.

The machinery of the trumpeter is contained within the trunk
of the figure, and is worked by a steel spring which drives a re-
volving barrel, on which are pegs similar to those in a musical-
box ; a bellows just below the neck of the figure furnishes the
wind, and a valve with a steel tongue, which is lengthened or
shortened by means of levers working on the pegs of the barrel,
makes the different notes.

There is an important difference between this trumpeter and
the ordinary mechanical organs or musical-boxes. These have a
separate pij^e or trumpet for every note of the scale, while in the
automaton the notes are all produced by the one horn, tlie length-
ening or shortening of the steel tongue or reed by means of the
levers mentioned producing all the tones of the chromatic scale,

454 Annals of Philadelphia.

on the same principle by which the human trumpeter produces
them by tonguing the mouthpiece of his instrument.

Many will remember the delight and wonder with which, in
their juvenile days, they witnessed the J3urning of Moscow, with
its lurid fires and loud guns; the chess-player and his excellent
playing with any member of the audience; and the correct notes
of the trumpeter.

JOHN McAllister.

John McAllister, Jr., died December 17th, 1877, aged ninety-
one years. He was born at the north-east corner of Market and
Second streets, June 29th, 1786. His father, John McAllister,
a native of Scotland, was born in Glasgow February, 1753. He
came to this country when twenty-two years of age, settling in
New York. He came to Philadelphia in 1785, and went into
business as a turner and manufacturer of whi])s and canes, on
Market street between Front and Second. In 1798 he formed a
partnership with James Matthews of Baltimore, and opened busi-
ness at No. 50 Chestnut street — afterward No. 48 — on the south
side, west of Second street. INIcAl lister & Matthews proposed to
carry on the whip and cane business, and added to their stock
spectacles, glasses, and optical articles. This latter business was
found to be more important than the manufacture of whips and
canes, which was abandoned; and the attention of Mr. IMcAllister
and his family has since been turned to the manufacture of ma-
thematical and optical instruments. John McAllister, Jr., in-
tended for the business of a merchant, in 1804 entered the count-
ing-house of Montgomery & Newbold, on Water street, having
graduated from the University in the preceding year. In 1811
he entered into partnership \vith his father, Mr. Matthews having
retired. The partnershij) of John McAllister & Son continued
until the death of John McAllister, Sr., May 12th, 1830. John
McAllister, Jr., with Walter B. Dick, continued the business
under the firm of John McAllister, Jr., & Co. In 1835 he re-
tired from the business, which was then conducted by some of
the members of the firm and William Y. McAllister, under the
firm name of McAllister & Co., and its location was changed to
Chestnut street below Eighth, where it still remains. John
McAllister, Jr., after 1835, being a gentleman of culture and
taste, with a strong liking for local antiquities, devoted himself
to the collection of a library rich in works of all kinds, but partic-
ularly noticeable for old newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, essays,
etc. connected with the history of Philadel})hia. He was the
oldest alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania, and the oldest
member of the Philadelphia Library Company, of the Athenaeum,
and of the St. Andrew's Society.

ADDITIONS AND EMENDATIONS

TO YOLUME n.

455

ADDITIONS AND EMENDATIONS TO VOL. II.

GERMANTOWN NOTES.

On the 24th of October, 1685, Francis Daniel Pastorius, with
the wish and concurrence of the governor, hiid out and planned
a new town, which, as he says, " We call Germantovvn or Ger-
manopolis, in a very fine and fertile district, with plenty of
springs of fresh water, being well supplied with oak, walnut, and
chestnut trees, and having besides excellent and abundant pas-
turage for cattle. At the commencement there were but twelve
families, of forty-one individuals, con.sisting mostly of German
mechanics and weavers. The principal street of this our town I
made sixty feet in width, and the cross street forty feet. The
space or lot for each house and garden I made three acres in size ;
for my own dwelling-house, however, six acres."

P. 17. — In the list of purchasers Daniel Spehac/el should read
Behagel ; Gobart Renekes should be Go vert Remkins.

P. 18. — The members of the Frankfort Company did not all
live in Frankfort ; of the Germantown patent for 5350 acres, the
company only purchased one-half of it, or 2675 acres. This
helj)s to reconcile the discrepancy of Mr. Watson's figure of
25,000 acres.

The Johnson or Jansen House. — The Johnson house, which was
on the corner of Germantown avenue, opposite the Chew property,
was built by Heivert Papen, one of the old German settlers of
Germantown, in the year 1698. The Johnson — originally Jan-
sen— family is also descended from old Germantown settlers, who
formerly also owned ground on the west side of Main street and
a portion of the ground on which Cliveden — afterward the Chew
house — was built. A remarkable tree stood in the grounds near
this mansion on Main street. It is the noblest tree of the kind
— the silver fir {Picea pectinata). Downing, in his Landscape
Gardening, gives an illustration of it as a specimen tree — fig, 37
— entitled "The Silver Fir, at the residence of Dr. Johnson of
Germantown ; age, fifty-seven years ; height, one hundred feet."
This was thirty years ago, but, like all trees when too much
crowded and shaded, it lost its majestic appearance. Immediately
in front of the mansion is the finest specimen of the dwarf spruce
{^Abies pumila) to be found in this vicinity.

39 457

458 Annals of Philadelphia.

KELPIUS, THE HERMIT OF THE WISSAHICKOX.

We are indebted to the learned pen of Prof. O, Siedensticker
for the pre-American life of Kelpius, as follows:

Our information about John Kelpius — generally styled "the
Hermit of the Wissahiekon " — is so scanty that this strange and
mysterious character seems to float like a tenuous, unsubstantial
being on the distant horizon of the earliest colonial times. But
he does not dissolve into a myth; his notebook is still in exist-
ence; his name appears in the colonial records as one of the suc-
cessors of F. D. Pastorius in the agency of the Frankfort Com-
pany. INIoreover, he has been heard of on the other side of the
ocean, and the few memoranda that we can furnish about him
previous to his emigration will be an interesting complement to
his strange career on the Wissahiekon.

The father of John Kelpius was minister in Denndorf, Tran-
sylvania, where he died 1685. The son chose his father's calling,
and wished to prepare himself for the pulpit at the University of
Tubingen, but in consequence of the French invasion of the
Palatinate and Wiirtemberg, he changed his mind and pursued
his studies at Altorf in Bavaria, then the seat of a univei-sity
of some note. Here he became the pupil and friend of Professor
John Jacob Fabricius, who a few years afterward accepted a call
to the university at Helmstedt, and became a prominent repre-
sentative of the Irenic (or peace-seeking) school of theology.

In 1689, J. Kelpius obtained the master's degree, and on that
occasion wrote a Latin thesis on natural theology. The next year
he treated, likewise in Latin, the question whether the pagan sys-
tem of morals (such as that presented by the Aristotelian philos-
ophy) was the proper one for the instruction of Christian youth.
About the same time Fabricius and Kelpius combined their labors
upon a work called Scylla theologice aliquot exemptis Patnnn et
Dodorum, etc., ostensa. There could have been no more striking
proof of the high opinion that Fabricius had of his pupil than
thus choosing him associate author of a learned book.

We lose sight of Kelpius during the next three or four years,
but from the stand he took in 1693 in religion it is evident that
he had plunged deeply into the mystic and theosophic speculations
of Jacob Bohm, and that he was a convert also to the millennial
and universalistic doctrines of Dr. Wilhelm Petersen. Perhaps
he spent some time in Holland, then the asylum of numerous dis-
senters, who were not tolerated in Germany. In his diary he
mentions a Catharine Beerens in Holhmd with much feeling,
callincr her " divina virg-o." She sent him a draft when he was
in London.

We next find him, in company of about forty associates who
held similar views as himself, ready to embark for America, and

Kelpius, the Hermit of the Wissahiclcon. 469

there to aAvait the coming of the heavenly Bridegroom. The
leader of this mystic tlock was John Jacob Zimmermann, highly-
spoken of as a man versed in mathematics, astronomy, and the-
ology. He had been minister in Wiirtemberg, but was dismissed
on account of his peculiar religious opinions. Zimmermann ap-
plied to a wealthy and kind-hearted Quaker in Holland for means
to defray the cost of transportation, and these were obtained. Be-
sides Zimmermann and Kelpius, there were among these enthusi-
asts several more men of learned education, such as John Selig
of Lemgo, Daniel Falkner of Saxony, Henry Bernhard Koster
of Blumenberg, Ludwig Bidermann of Anhalt — all of whom had
been prepared for the ministry. When they were nearly ready
to leave Zimmermann became sick, and died at Rotterdam. This
happened toward the end of 1G93. In the early part of the next
year the rest, including Zimmermann's widow and children, em-
barked in London on board the Sarah Maria, Captain John Tan-
ner. In London, John Kelpius became acquainted with the
famous Jane Leade, the founder of the Philadelphic Society, a
sect of visionaries which extended also to Germany. Kelpius
was evidently much taken with the philadelphic doctrines; the
secretary of the society, Henry John Deichmann, became his in-
timate friend, with whom he corresponded after his arrival in
Pennsylvania.

During the voyage to America, John Kelpius kept a journal
in Latin, by which we see that several untoward circumstances
attended the passage. The ship was not out many days when
it grounded on a sandbank, and was in great peril. The Avar
existing between England and France made the passage of an un-
protected ship across the sea a ventursome undertaking, and so
the Sarah Maria lay by first in Deal, then in Plymouth, many
weeks, to wait for the convoy of a fleet. At last, on the 15th of
April, she got again under way in company of eighteen vessels,
most of them carrying the Spanish flag. But as their destination
was not Philadelphia, they left the Sarah Maria after about a
week's time, with the exception of an English vessel, the Prov-
idence. What had been dreaded now really came to pass — an
encounter with hostile ships. On the 10th of May three vessels
hove in sight, which proved to be French sloops, carrying re-
spectively twenty, ten, and six guns. The English valiantly re-
pelled the attack, and finally captured the smallest of their aggres-
sors, which had been disabled. The German mystics on board
the Sarah Maria offered a solemn thanksgiving for having been
mercifully saved from so imminent a peril. On the 23d of June
they arrived in Philadelphia, and on the 24th proceeded to Ger-
man town.

Of the life and doings of the " Hermits on the Ridge" we
have no definite information ; even the letters of Kelpius, which
are in reality religious treatises, give us no clew, except by infer-

460 Annals of Philadelphia.

encc. And they certainly prove that the hermit-life of Kelpius
was not that of a rude cave-dweller ; he remained attached to his
studios and must have seen some society. In one of the letters
he makes a request for two harjysichords with strings ; lie was
known and esteemed by persons of high culture, as is evidenced
by his correspondence with Stephen Momfort, the Seventh-Day
Baptist of Newport (see Belcher's Religious Denominations, p.
265); with Hester Palmer of Flushing, Long Island ; with Mary
Elizabeth Gerber of Virginia and Rev. Erik Biork of Christina
(Wilmington). In a Latin letter addressed to this eminent min-
ister of the Swedish congregation at Christina he says ; " I re-
ceived the double proof of your fraternal love, your very kind
letter of 23d of January, and the money through Mr. Jonas B."
. . . . "Would I were such as you represent me, and as you,
with my beloved Rudman, judge me to be." Rev. Andrew Rud-
man, as is well known, was the first provost of the Swedish
churches on the Delaware and minister at Wicaco.

Several of the letters, of which Kelpius kept copies in his
memorandum-book, are addressed to H. J. Deichmann, the sec-
retary of the Philadelphic Society in London — next to J. Selig
the most intimate friend of Kel])ius.

When F. D. Pastorius, at his urgent request, was in the year
1700 relieved of the agency of the Frankfort Company, there
were, instead of one, three successors appointed — viz. Daniel
Falkner, John Kelpius, and John Jawert. How can we account
for the fact that a person so totally averse to the affairs of the
world, a pious recluse, an ascetic dreamer like John Kelpius,
should have been selected to conduct the land and administration
business of a company? It seems most likely that upon the re-
tirement of Pastorius the members of the Frankfort Company,
who lived all in Germany, could not agree upon the same person as
a successor, and compromised by the appointment of their several
favorites. Xow, Dr. John William Petersen, and probably some
other members, held religious views quite in keeping with those
of Kelpius; Petersen and his M'ife were in Germany, the most
prominent exponents of Jane Ijcade's millennial and philadelphic
notions, and John Kelpius's sympathy with the same is sufficiently
evident from his correspondence with Deichmann, the corrcs2>ond-
ing secretary of the Philadel|)hic Society.

It hardly needs to be said that the hermit did not descend from
his loi'ty and solitary stand to higgle about the rent of houses
and lands, to keej) cash and transfer books, write deeds and agree-
ments. He did not even take the trouble to decline the appoint-
ment ; he simply ignored it.

The Tunkers or Dunkards. 461

THE TUNKERS OR DUNKARDS.

Pp. 23, 42, 111, and 258.— In 1729, Rev. Alexander Mack
arrived in this country with many of his congregation, and as-
sisted Mr. Becker, who had removed to Bebberstown, near Ger-
mantown. He died in 1735. After Mr. Becker went to Skip-
pack in 1747, Rev. Alexander ]\Iack the second succeeded. In
1737 a few, about seven, of the Dunkers established a religious
house or monastery upon the plan of the large monastery of the
Seventh-Day Baj^tists at Ephrata, founded by Conrad Beissel in
1732-33, who had formerly been a Dunker, but adopted the
principles of the Seventh-Day Baptists. They built a house " in
a valley one mile from Germantown," but only continued it for
seventeen months. The " Monastery of the Wissahickon/' about
a inile above the Red Bridge on the Wissahickon, has been popu-
larly supposed to have been the house built by the Brothers.
But it has been a fine large mansion, and not such as the
Brothers would have erected. The ground in question was sold
in March, 1747, to John Gorgas of Germantown. In 1752 he
conveyed half of it to his brother, Joseph Gorgas, who had erect-
ed on it a three-story stone house. Joseph was a member of the
society of Seventh-Day Baptists, and here he gathered congenial
spirits and " held sweet communion." They baptized in the
Wissahickon, at a spot known as " The Baptisterion." Joseph
Gorgas sold the property to Edward Milner in 1761.

P. 23. — The true name of this town was Bebberstown — 7iot
Beggarsto^vn ; therefore Watson's reason for the name can hardly
be founded on fact.

P. 24. — This market-house has been entirely removed, and the
market-square has been adorned with trees and walks, and pre-
sents a pretty appearance, railed in, and embellished with flowers
and a fountain.

P. 27.— First grist-mill. (See Vol. I. p. 128.)

From England, p. 27. — This is not quite correct, I think.
Townsend in his printed account (see Proud, i. p. — ) expressly
says that the materials brought from England were used by him
in a mill he erected on Chester Creek, and which, being men-
tioned by him before, was probably erected first, but in Chester
county. It is uncertain when Townsend's account was printed,
but this mill, he says, was erected about one year after German-
town was settled — say 1683 or 1687.

39*

462 Annals of Philadelphia.

GERMAXTOWxN ACADEMY.

P. 27. — On the 6th of December, 1759, a meeting was held at
the house of Daniel Mackinet, when it was resolved that a large
commodious building should be erected near the centre of the
town for an English and High Dutch or German school, and
also dwellings for the teachers. A subscription was at once
started, and many subscribed, and Christopher Meng, Ciu'istopher
Saner, Baltus Reser, Daniel jNIackinet, John Jones, and Charles
Bensell were appointed to collect further subscriptions. The
contributors met Jan. 1, 1760, and chose of their number for
trustees, Christopher Saner, Thomas Rosse, John Jones, Daniel
Mackinet, Jacob Keyser, John Bowman, Thomas Livzey, David
Desiiler, George Absentz, Joseph Galloway, Charles Bensell, Jacob
Naglee, and Benjamin Engle; for treasurer, llichard Johnson.
The directors selected a lot, and submitted a plan, estimate of
cost, and a plan of government at a meeting held on the 25th.
It was decided that the school should be free to persons of all
religious denominations, that it should be on a lot "in the lane
or cross-street leading toward the Schuylkill, commonly called
' Bensell's Lane ' " — it was purchased from John and George
Bringhurst — and that it should be called " the Germantown
Union School-house."

On April 21, 1760, the trustees and other contributors met and
laid four corner-stones. It was completed and opened in Sep-
tember, 1761. Hilarius Becker was the German teacher, David
James Dove the English teacher, Thomas Pratt the English
usher. By the 16th of October there M-ere iol pupils — 61 in
the English and 70 in the German department. The school
went on flourishing until the Revolution. In 1764 we find the
Quakers objecting to certain lessons of politeness, and the trustees
resolved " that the master shall give express orders to the children
of persons of that society that they do not accost him or others by
uncovering the head at any time." Greek, Latin, and the higher
mathematics were taught in addition to the ordinary rudiments.

About 1776, "by reason of the troubled times,"'it was difficult
to get a quorum of trustees. In July, 1777, a new teacher was
appointed, because Thomas Dungan, the master of the English
school, had joined the American army, in which he became a
captain. In August, 1777, the school was about to be used as a
hospital for the sick of Washington's army, but Israel Pemberton
saw President Hancock, and the sick soldiers were taken to the
hospital in Philadelphia, and the school was not interrupted.
In October, 1778, it is stated that "on account of the distressed
times no German or English school has been kept this good
while." Xor do we find any miinites of the board of trustees, nor
notice of the school having been again opened until after the

Germantown Academy. 46S

peace. In 1784 a charter was obtained incorporating it as "the
Public School at Germantown/' which was amended in 1786.
The school was jioor, the Legislature's finances, '•' so soon after a
long and expensive war," could not furnish aid, so contributions
were solicited. They struggled on for some years, getting grad-
ually more prosperous from access of pupils, contributions, and
legacies. In 1808 a lottery was held which yielded £93 12s.,
but John Johnson resigned, and Treasurer John Bowman refused
to receive the money.

In 1793, on account of the yellow fever in the city, the Legis-
lature of Pennsylvania and Congress proposed to occupy it, but it
Avas resolved that it be first offered to the President at a rent of
$300 for the session. At the next attack of the fever, in 1798,
the use of the cellar and lower story was granted to the banks
of Pennsylvania and North America, they agreeing to paint the
building and put on a new roof. Wlien leaving it the banks
thanked tiie trustees for the asylum afforded.

In 1810 the house opposite tiie school was bought for $3200
from James Matthews, who presented the insurance on it, and
Mr. John Wister lent $1400 to make the purchase. From this
period the school has continued to prosper and advance. The
same trustees were constantly re-elected, some of them having
been in the board from twenty to thirty years. Among them are
the familiar Germantown names of Bensell, Rittenhouse, Lehman,
Johnson, Galloway, Pemberton, Chew, Haines, Logan, Ashmead,
Harvey, Watson, Forrest, Betton, Wister, and others of the best
families. Mr. Reuben Haines was a particular friend of the
school and active patron of science ; and Mr. Charles J. Wister,
a trustee for thirty years, presented a valuable philosophical ap-
paratus.

The school possesses some curious relics, which are also sym-
bolic of the past. On the spire is a crown, placed there by the
loyal love of our ancestors for their government; in the steeple
is a bell that came over in the ship that brought the tea which
was thrown overboard into Boston harbor; in the library is a
spy-glass used by Washington at the battle of Germantown.
Each of these represents a portion of our history — colonial de-
pendence, indignant resistance to royal power, war, Washington,
and victory.

The centennial anniversary of laying the corner-stone was
celebrated by the people of Germantown Avith great enthusiasm
April 21st, 1860, by ringing of the bell, parade, one hundred
guns, and in the evening by a short address and an ode by John
S. Littell, a prayer by Rev. Charles W. Schaeffer, an oration by
the late Sidney George Fisher, and a benediction by Rev. Henry
S. Spackman.

464 Annals of Philadelphia.

THE MORRIS MANSION.

p. 41. — The mansion occupied by General Howe and by "Wash-
ington, on tiie ]\rain street below Schoolhouse lane, was at that
time owned by Isaac Frank; it afterward became tlie property
of the Perot family; then of tlie late estimable and respected
Samuel B. Morris, and now of Elliston P. Morris, Esq., his
son. It is a large and most comfortable mansion, old-fashioned
in its stvle of architecture, but in much better taste than many
modern houses of more pretension. The hall is very fine, and
the rooms are wainscoted and panelled from the ceiling to the
floor, with a rich heavy cornice. The wood-work is admirably
done, and perfect to this day. Mr. Morris retains, with rare good
taste, the original appearance of it as near as possible. There is
the old-fashioned door-knob, latch, and fastenings, which must
liave been handled by Washington many a time, and even some
of his china. Mr. Morris's taste has preserved many fine pieces
of antique mahogany and walnut furniture from his ancestors, so
admirably in keeping with the house itself. It is a rare treat for
the lover of antiquity to pass some hours in this house with its
surroundings. The grounds possess some noble trees, many of
considerable age, and are laid out with such skill as to give the
idea of much greater scope than they possess. The grass is kept
in admirable order.

Copt. Turner, etc., pp. 39 and 60.— April 19, 1846, thase
eight bodies Avere disinterred in digging a grave, and were recog-
nized by Peter Keyser's relation of some circumstances respecting
them. He witnessed the battle, and was present at the interment,
one having had part of his head blown off and another's legs
being contracted and drawn in. The bones were undecayed, as
well as some pieces of the regimentals, after lying there sixty-
seven years.

Gilbert Stuart, p. 64. — The barn where Stuart painted and
"Washington sat was destroyed by fire 3d mo., 1854, from the act
of an incendiary. Its walls are still standing and partially cov-
ered in. It adjoins the house Stuart lived in and occuj)ied with
his faniilv from 1797 to 1800, now in possession of Mr. William
W. Wister.

P. 79. — Norristown is the cajiital of Montgomery county, Penn-
sylvania. Montgomery was at one time a portion of Philadelphia
county, and at that period the ground now occupied by Xorris-
town was in Philadelphia county, but Montgomeiy county was
formed in 1784, and since that time has ceased to have any con-
nection with IMiiladelphia.

P. 94. — The old Episcopal church of St. Paul has been en-
tirely demolished, and nothing but the vacant ground, which is

Pennsbury. 465

occupied as a burying-ground, left to mark the spot where it
stood. It was intended to erect the new one on the spot, but the
foundation M'as not thouglit secure ; this is })erhaps some apology
for not leaving the old building stand, as the new one is on tlie
opposite side of the street. It is a neat Gothic stone building,
with a steeple. Sanderline's monument is standing within the
new church ; it unfortunately was broken in two by carelessness
after its removal from the wall of the church, where it originally
was placed. The date is difficult to be ascertained. The old
church was opened by Rev. Mr, Talbot, an associate of the
famous George Keith, by whom, Humphreys says, inaccurately,
the first'sermon was preached. (See Keith's Journal; Hum-
phreys' account of Society for Propagating the Gospel, by whose
patronage the church was supplied.) A letter written by John
Moore, collector of this port, dated March 10th, 1713, to James
Sandilands of Uplands, says : " It is my design to inform
you that there is in my care a small bell which is intended
for St. Paul's Church in your ])arish, which has been delivered
at this port free of charges or duty, likewise a rich cloth and neat

chalice, which are the gift of Sir Jeffry Jeftrycs Y" winter

has been very long and dull, and we have no mirth or pleasure
except a few evenings spent in festivity with my Masonic breth-
ren," etc. The present city of Chester is called by Mr. Moore
Uplands, thirty-five years after Penn is said to have named the
place Chester, at the request of the undiscovered Pearson. If
Penn ever made such a promise, no doubt the place alluded to
was the county, not the town, of Chester. The records of St.
Paul's Church, Chester, show that the bell was first rung on
Christmas Hay, 1713, and " Cuffy was paid Qs. 6d. and Hick
(Havid Poberts' boy) Is. for ringing the church-bell."

P. 98.— Orphans' Court 4th 1st mo., 1693, should be 16S3.

P. 101. — Pennsbury should be more properly described as be-
tween Bristol and Trenton, and is on the Pennsylvania side of
the Helaware. It is about seven or eight miles above Bristol,
and a quarter of a 'mile below Robbins's Ferry. In 1852, John
F. Watson, Samuel Hazard, Townsend Ward, Dr. B. H. Coates,
AV^illiam Huane, Edward Ward, John Jordan, Jr., and George
Northrop visited the place. It was occupied by Robert Crozier.
But little remains to remind one of its former importance in the
time of William Penn. The present dwelling rests u])on a part
of the wall of the old cellar; the well is in front of the house;
there are several old cherry trees that were })lantcd in Penn's
time; and there is a large .two-storied wooden building, believed
to be the old malt- and brew-house. It is about thirty-five by
fifty feet; the ground-floor is about two feet below the sill ; tlijcre
are several rooms both up and down stairs. It has a gable end
toward the river. When you enter it you face a large stone fire-
place, thirteen to fourteen feet wide. This was sup])osed to be
Vol. III.— 2 E

466 Annals of Philadelphia.

the brcw-liouso, in the rear of it the malt-house. The pavement
or floor was brick.

3frs. 3Iary Hana, p. 116. — Slie died at Harrisburg in 1852,
and in about two weeks her brother, Robert Harris, son of the
celebrated John Harris, wiiose remains are buried on the bank
under the tree to which he was tied to be burned by the Indians.
The sttmip or trunk of this midberrv tree still stands, and his
irrandson Washington says he has eaten mulberries from it. The
Harris iiouse was purchased of Robert Harris, and occupied by
Thomas Elder, a celebrated lawyer, mentioned on p. 121, and
son of Rev. John Elder, who is buried at the old Paxton church,
about two miles from Harrisburg. At this house was the cele-
brated Harris's Ferry.

P. 128. — The poetic description of Pittsburg was written by
Hon. Herman Denny, M. C, as New Year's verses for the Pitts-
burg Gazette, and printed in Reg. Penna.

A view of Braddock's Field was painted by Weber after a
journey in 1854 to it with several members of the Pennsylvania
Historical Society, to whom it was presented by the artist, and
it now adorns their hall. An engraving from it is in a volume
printed by the society on '' Braddock's Ex])edition," containing
his journal and an introductory memoir written for the society
by Winthrop Sargent. (See also Judge Yeates's account of his
visit to it in 1776, in Reg. Penna,., vi. 104.)

P. 148. — Packet-travel between Philadelphia and Reading
began in 1825. A new packet-line to Reading was established
in June. The canal-boat Lady of the Lake ran in connection
Avith mail-coaches. Passengers were taken from the White Swan
Hotel to Fairmount, where the packet lay. The fare to Reading
was $2.50. John Coleman and Jacob Peters were the proprietors
of this line. Passengers left Reading at twelve o'clock, noon, on
Monday, lodged at Pottsgrove, left tiiat place on Tuesday morn-
ing, and arrived at Fairmount early in the evening of tiiat day.
The boat left the u])per ferry on Thursday at eight o'clock P. M.,
and arrived in Reading tiie next morning.

The Last of the Lenapes, p. 161. — The Lenni Lenapes were
originally one of the two great Indian nations which inhabited
this continent, the other nation bein": the Meng-wes. According
to their traditions, the Lenni Lenapes were Indians of the far
West. Gradually moving eastward, they met the ]\Iengwes ; and
east of them were the AUigwes, from whence the name Alle-
ghany is derived. The Lcnajies, seeking to reach the east, ob-
tained permission from the Alligwes to pass through their coun-
try. This emigration was partially performed, when, becoming
alarmed at the great numbers that were coming over, the Alli-
gwes interrui)ted the march and slew many of the Lenapes. The
Lenapes that remained then joined with the Mengwes and ex-
pelled the Alligwes. The Mengwes and the Lenapes then divid-

Governor Morris, 467

ed the land — the former settling by the great lakes, and the latter
at the south. After a time the hunters of the Lenapes crossed
the Alleghany Mountains. They reached the Susquehanna, Hud-
son, and Delaware rivers and the sea-coast; and upon their re-
ports the tribe determined to emigrate to the east. Tiie Lenapes
were divided into three great tribes — the Tui'tle, or Unanamis ;
the Turkey, or Unalachtgo ; and the Wolf, or Minsi. The
Unanamis and the Unalachtgo inhabited the coast from the Hud-
son to the Potomac, and the Minsi dwelt in the interior, and had
their council-seat on the Delaware. The Lenni Lenapes were
divided into many tribes, descended from the parent stock — such
as the Shawnees, Nanticokes, Susquehannas, Shackamaxons, etc.
There was a great war, after many years of amity, between the
Mengwes and the Lenapes; and the latter were generally success-
ful, until at length the Mengwes formed a confederation called
the Five Nations — namely, the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas,
Cayugas, and Senecas — to which was subsequently added the
Tuscaroras. The general name applied to the Six Nations was
the Iroquois. The latter were fierce, warlike, and aggressive — so
much so that they either conquered or disarmed the Lenni Lenapes.
Those of the latter who lived in the neighborhood of New Jersey
and Pennsylvania were called Delawares by the English. The
Mohicans were distinct from Delawares, and inhabited a part of
New York and a part of New England. Tliey were of Algon-
quin stock and were tributary to the Iroquois. Tamenend was
not the last of the Lenni Lenapes, nor did the tribe die out other
than by mixture with different nations. The Iroquois compelled
them to remove from their original settlements about the Dela-
ware in 1744, and they went westward. A considerable number
of them went to Ohio, where they settled in what is now called
Delaware county. They were friendly to the United States.
They next crossed the Mississippi and settled in Kansas, where
their number in 1869 was one thousand and five. In the next
year they were removed to the Indian Reservation, and were
partly incor])orated with the Cherokees.

Governor Morris and Indian Scalps, p. 166. — Governor Robert
Hunter Morris, who represented the Penn interests in 1756,
offered a reward of seven hundred pieces of eight, "raised by
subscription among the inhabitants of Philadelphia," ft)r the
heads of Shingas and Captain Jacobs, chiefs of the Delav»'are
nation. In April, Governor Morris offered a reward of one
hundred and thirty dollars for every male and female Indian
prisoner over the age of ten years ; and for the scalp of every
male Indian above ten years old one hundred and thirty dollar's,
and for that of every female Indian above the same age fifty
dollars. It is not just to censure the Penn family lor this bar-
barity, which was done by Governor Morris on his own authority.
Thomas Penn, July 10th, 1756, wrote to Governor Morris, re-

468 Annals of Philadelphia.

f^rctting that war had not been declared against tlie Delaware
Indians, and declaring his preference that they should be attack-
ed in small i)arties, and their women and children taken j)risoners
''as a means to oblige them to sue for peace, rather than that re-
M-ards should l)C offered for scalps, especially of women, as it en-
courages private murder."

l> iji^o. — The insurgent John Fries and two others were tried
and convicted, but afterward ])ardoned by the then President.

P. 228. — Proud may have been led into this error by William
Penn himself, who in his letter to the Society of Free Tradei-s
says he arrived on the 24th of October; and until within a few
years this day was celebrated as the anniversary by historical so-
cieties and others. But the record of his landing at Newcastle
on the 28th has set the matter right. The only way of reconcil-
ing them is by supposing Penn spoke of his arrival at the Capes,
from whence in those days it was not unusual to be three or four
davs in reaching Newcastle.

P. 251. — The Dutch and Swedish papers are in the American
Philosophical Society, and not in the Historical Society, as stated.
The ]\Ir. Sargent alluded to was the Hon. Thomas Sergeant,
when Secretary of State.

Tinicum. — My father visited this island with John F. Watson,
Aubrey Smith, Edward F. Smith, George Northrop, T. Ward,
John Jordan, Jr., W. Parker Foulke, Dr. B. H. Coates, and
ISIr. Keppner of Bethlehem, under conduct of Alexander Smith,
who lived near the Lazaretto. They found no remains ; a house
was pointed out which was said to be erected on the ruins of the
old governor's mansion; there are many of the old Swedish bricks
in the walls. They met an old lady, Mrs. Morris, aged 76, who
lias resided here about thirty years. She had often visited the
old house, which she described as very large, one and a half
stories high, having a hall, several rooms, and an entry on the
first floor. She had no knowledge of any remains of the old
church or fort. It is re])orted there are some stones, etc., the re-
mains of the old burying-ground, near where the tavern now
stands, in erecting which they broke into the remains of a body.
This party found some old — supposed Swedish — bricks, yellow
inside, heavier and narrower than ours. This is not now an
island — T^ong Hook Creek, formerly connecting Darby Creek
with tlu! J)ola\vare, through which sloops used to pass, being now
stopped off at both ends.

Penn on Slavery, p. 262. — See Bancroft's History of the United
States, yo\. ii. p. 403; also Niles's National Register, April 4,
1846, for some remarks and documents respecting William Penn
being a slaveholder.

Several articles written on that subject by George Justice were
published in 7Vic Friend. On the 1st of March, 1780, before the
war of the Revolution was closed, the Assembly of Penusylva-

Servants, etc. 469

nia passed an act declaring that negro and mulatto cluldren whose
mothers were slaves, and who were born after the passage of that
act, should be free, and that slavery as to them should be for ever
abolished. But it was declared that such children should be held
as servants, under the same terms as indentured servants, until
the age of twenty-eight years, when they should be free. Under
this law, negroes or mulattoes who were slaves for life were held
for life, and their children born after the act were to be slaves for
twenty -eight years. Slavery was therefore gradually abolished in
this State. The number of slaves became less and less with every
census, but there were some negroes in this State held as slaves
as late as 1850, and after.

Servants, p. 267. — The servants about 1750 were either free or
slave. The free servants served by the year, and could quit any
time if they disagreed with their master, though they ran the risk
of losing what might be coming to them. They received sixteen
to twenty pounds currency in the city, but not so much in the
country ; and women got eight or ten pounds a year. They of
course got their board also, but not clothes. The other kind
were those who were free after a time. Many came from Eng-
land, Germany, and other countries who could not pay their pas-
sage, and Avere sold on their arrival for so many years, at about
three to four pounds Pennsylvania currency per annum, as would
pay their passage ; generally fourteen pounds for four years' ser-
vice would cover their passage-money. Those who were too old
to serve would sell their children in the same way. Some would
sell themselves to get a knowledge of the country before starting
in the world. The purchaser could resell them for the unexpired
time. The purchaser also had to give them a suit of clothes at
the expiration of the time. A third class, negroes and slaves,
has been spoken of in the previous chapter.

P. 274. — Dr. Graeme, father of Mrs. Ferguson, married a
daughter of William Keith, to whom he left Grfeme Park.
Keith's widow is buried in Christ Church yard, attached to
Christ Church in Second street, next to the wall on the south
side. William Keith died in 1749 in "Old Bailey" street — not
the later prison of that name. (London Notes and Queries, 2d
series, iii. 266, 454, and 516.)

P. 277. — William Markham, cousin of William Penn, was
undoubtedly the first deputy governor of Pennsylvania, as he
M'as appointed 10th 2d mo., 1681. He came here prior to
William Penn, nearly a year. (See his commission in Hazard's
Annals, p. 503.) He was appointed by Governor Fletcher a
deputy governor the second time in 1693. He died in 1704.

1673, p. 278. — Anthony Colve was Dutch, not English. (See
Hazard's Annals, p. 405.)

P. 289. — See Hazard's Reg. Penna. for description of the Mes-
chianza.

470 Annals of Philadelphia.

T/ie Declaration was read by Hopkins, p. 294. — ^Ye have cor-
rected tliis error. (See ante, p. 223.) Ezekiel Hopkins sliould be
Eseck.

p_ 294. — General Hugh Mercer's remains were afterward re-
moved to Laurel Hill with much military ceremony and parade,
and a fine monument erected over them. (See ante, p. 200.)

THE ^iESCHIANZA.

p_ 290. — The Mrs. L. that "Watson speaks of as being old and
blind was Miss Rebecca Redman, who was the Queen of the
Mesciiianza. She was daughter of Joseph Redman, formerly
sheriff of the city, and married Col. Elisha Lawrence in De-
cember 1779 ; at the time of the fete she was twenty-seven yeare
old. She died Nov. 26, 1832, aged eighty-one years. 'Her
kniixht was Mons. Montluissant, lieutenant of Hessian chas-
seurs.

3Hss J. C <) was ]Miss Janet Craig, the daughter of James

Craig, probably of Scotch descent. She never married. Her
knight was Lieutenant Bygrove.

The following is the list of the beauties for whose smiles the
knights contended :

Ladies of the Blended Rose, dressed in Pink and White. — Miss
Auchmuty, Miss Nancy White, Miss Janet Craig, Miss Peggy
Chew, Miss Nancy Redman, Miss Wilhelmina Bond, Miss Mary
Shii)i)en.

Ladies of the Burning 3Toiintain, dressed in White and Gold. —
Miss Rebecca Franks, Miss Sarah Shippen, ]Miss Peggy Shippen,
^liss Becky Bond, Miss Becky Redman, Miss Sophia Chew, Miss
AVilhelmina Smith.

Miss Peggv Shippen, daughter of Judge Edward Shippen,
whose knight on the occasion was Lieutenant Winyard, married
General Benedict Arnold, afterward the traitor. Miss Peggy
Chew, daughter of Chief-Justice Benjamin Chew, whose knight
was Cai)tain John Andre, afterward hung as a sj)y for his com-
plicity in Arnold's treason, married Colonel John Eager Howard
of Bahimore. Miss Rebecca Franks, whose knight was Cajjtain
Watson, married Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Johnson of the
British armv. There were three daughters of David Franks.
One, Miss Polly, died unmarried August 21, 1774. Another
one married Andrew Hamihon of the Woodhmds. Miss Sarah
Chew, whose knight was Lieutenant Hobart, married John Gal-
loway of Maryland. She was the fourth daughter of Justice
Chew. Miss Auchmuty was an English girl, and married Cap-
tain Montresor of the British army. Miss W. Smith was Wilhel-
mina Smith, a daughter of the Rev. William Smith, D. D., pro-

Tlie MescJiianza. 471

vost of the University. She married Charles Goldsborough of
Long Neck, Dorset county, Maryland. Her knight was Major
Tarlton. The two Miss Bonds were daughters of Dr. Phineas
Bond, and sisters of Phineas Bond, afterward British consul at
Philadelphia. Miss Becky, whose knight was Lieutenant De-
laval, went to England after the Revolution with Mr. Erskine,
the British minister, and died in that country, unmarried. Miss
Wilhelmina Bond was married on January 30, 1779, to General
John Cadwalader of the Pennsylvania line, his second wife; she
also died in England. Miss Mary Shippen, a daughter of Chief-
Justice Shippen, whose knight was Lieutenant Sloper, was mar-
ried to Dr. Mcllvaine ; and ]\Iiss Sarah, her sister, was married
to Thomas Lea ; her knigiit was Lieutenant Underwood. Miss
Nancy White, whose knight was Hon. Captain Cathcart, was the
daughter of Townsend White, who married Ann lienaud it, widow
of William Constable. There therefore remains to be accounted
for of the Meschianza ladies Miss Nancy Redman.

The name of the ball was derived from two Italian words —
mescere, to ^' mix," or misclnare, to " mingle ;" it was truly a
mixture and a medley.

An anonymous novel, entitled Meredith; or, The Mystery of
the Meschianza, a Tale of the American Revolution, by the author
of The Betrothal of Wyoming, was copyrighted December, 1830,
by Henry H. Porter, who was probably the author. The prin-
cipal event was the a])pearance at the height of the ball of a
ghost upon the scene. Tiie Wharton mansion, where it was held,
long had the repute of being a haunted house. It stood upon
the west side of Fifth street below Washington avenue, with
sloping grounds to the Delaware. It was known as Walnut
Grove Mansion, and Avas built about 1760. It was the mansion
of the old Wharton family, one of wliom, living at the time of
the Revolution, was known as Duke Wharton. Tiie house was
used for the reception- and dressing-rooms, and the ball was held
in a temporary structure elegantly decorated.

In 1823 the Guardians of the Poor established in the house an
asylum for poor children. About 1837 the mansion Avas turned
into a coach-factory, and afterward into a public school, and was
known as the Coach-Factory School. It was owned by James
M. Linnard, from whom the Controllers rented it, and who af-
terward (in 1852) bought it from him. About 18G0 it was torn
down, and the Controllers built upon the spot what is known as
the Washington School-House or Wharton School. The " Bax-
ter property " was a portion of the old Wharton estate.

Tlie Wife of Benedict Arnold, p. 302. — Watson has made a
strange mistake about the time and place of Mrs. Arnold's death.
She went to England in ]785, and never returned. She lived
with her husband, and had four children. He died at his res-

472 Annals of Philadelphia.

idencc in London, June 14, 1801, and slio from the same house,
AufTUst 24, 1804, aged 43-44 years. The Bed Book (London,
1824) said: "Edward Shippen, James Robertson, George, and
Soj)hia Matilda receive pensions of £400 sterling. These are the
children of the notorious American general. Another son, John
Arnold, is a brigadier-general on the Bengal establishment in In-
dia. Edward S. Arnold was also an officer on the same," Arnold
left his property to his three sons l)y his first wife, and to such
children as might be borne to him by his second wife, Margaret
Shipj)en, in equal proportions.

Arnold's Effigy, p. 327. — Two representations accompany Ger-
man almanacs for 1781. One proceeds to the right, the other to
the left; and some of the figures are different in each, though the
general representation is similar. A larger engraving was also
made, and a fac-simile reproduced in Philadelphia a few years
since. (See Reg. Penna. for a full account of the affair.)

The I)oanes, p. 330. — A small volume was published giving an
account of each of them. (See Penna Archives, vols. x. and xi. ;
also- Co/. Records, xiv. 36, where Kennedy's widow receives from
the Assenil)ly £300; also Penna. Archives, x. 178, for resolution
of Assembly.) The Doanes who visited Westchester were pur-
sued and discovered hiding under a causeway in the road near
the Marshall property.

La Fayette^ p. 338. — General La Fayette landed at Xew York
August 15, 1824, on a visit to this country, in response to a res-
olution passed unanimously by Congress inviting him to partake
of the nation's hospitality. At his landing he wa.5 the guest of
Governor Tom])kins on Staten Island. After receiving the at-
tentions of the citizens of Xew York, he arrived in Philadelphia
on Tuesday morning, Sept. 17th, stopping the evening before at
Frankford with a Avell-known citizen, and was then escorted into
and through the city by a large civic and njilitary procession.
Col. John Swift being marshal of the civic procession. On that
evening there Avas a general illumination, and La Fayette rode
through the city to witness it, and afterward dined with the So-
ciety of the Cincinnati. After receiving many attentions from
our citizens, he was taken to Baltimore, Washington, and other
places, and also invited to Mount Vernon, and the tomb of
Wiishington oj)ened for him to see the remains. While he
was sojoiu-ning in our city the committee of arrangements hav-
ing charge of his reception were known on the street by a
"chapeau" which they wore, and any person wishing to know
of his movements had only to ask them, and any information
Avould be given. He remained in the United States until the
7th of September, 1825, when lie sailed for Havre in a frigate
named, in compliment to the illustrious guest, the Brandywine.
La Fayette died May 19, 1834, in Paris. A parade took ])lace
in this city in commemoration of his obsequies, July 21, 1834.

Seasons and Climate. 473

SEASONS AND CLIMATE.

P. 347. — "The first Meteorology, or Essay to Judge of tlie
Weather, that ever was printed in Pennsylvania, anno 1687, was
written by one of our namesakes, and a well-wisher to our pro-
vincial affairs, John Southworth, etc." [Pasiorius 3ISS., The Bee-
hive, No. ^.96.)

In 1820, Gibbs, the celebrated lottery-ticket man, made a bet
that he would cross the Delaware on St. Patrick's Day of that
year on the ice (for the winter then was very severe). The
feat was performed, and witnessed by a large number of per-
sons, and the bet was won by Gibbs. He crossed from the old
Drawbridge wharf, and went straight over through the island,
and then gave his friends, who had got over through the float-
ing ice in boats, a handsome collation in Camden.

In 1831 the Delaware was closed solid about the middle of
Decsember — so much so that horses and sleighs ventured on it, and
wood was drawn over on sleds and other heavy vehicles. The
death of Stephen Girard took place on ]\Ionday, December 26,
1831. The funeral took place on the following Friday morning;
the river that morning was still closed. A heavy fall of snow
occurred the day before, and the sidewalks and streets were
covered with snow. In January, 1835, the river was closed for
a few days, but the winter then was mild. In December of that
year it was closed. The great fire in New York occurred about
that time, on a Thursday evening, and the mails on Saturday
morning about ten o'clock had to be brought over from Camden
through the ice by boats. The river at that time remained
closed till the 20th day of March, 1836. On that day the large
fleet which was detained below came up to the city. Business
that winter had been exceedingly dull, reducing many of the
poorer classes to starvation. It was the long closing of the river
that compelled our business-men to suggest the propriety of
building ice-boats. We Avell remember the ox-roast on the ice,
and also the numerous booths built upon it, which remained
there for a long time to supply the crowds of skaters and others
with warm refreshments. Large sleds loaded with wood and
other teams crossed constantly. A brig from Genoa, Italy, with a
consignment of marble and an invoice of statuary, intended for
the splendid mansion of Isaac Phillips, on Arch street above
Thirteenth, was cut into by the ice, and to prevent sinking was
run upon the flats below the Navy Yard. The statuary was, I
believe, very much injured, and I think never was i)laced in the
building, as the great financial crisis of 1837 compelled the house
of E,. & I. Phillips to go into liquidation, and the mansion passed
into other hands.

Pierce on the Weather says that the medium temperature of

40*

474 Annals of Philadelphia.

December, 1840, was thirty degrees, or two degrees below the
freezing-point. There was a violent snow-storm lasting from
DecemlxT 4th to December 6th. Fifteen inches of snow fell in
l*hihuleli)hia. After that the mercury was for some days, on an
average, ciglitcen degrees. Tlie Delaware closed from Kensing-
ton to Trenton on the 19th of December. In January, 1841, the
medium of the thermometer was thirty-three degrees, and seven
inches and three-quarters of rain fell during the month. The
river was closed five days. In February, the medium temj)er-
ature was twenty-nine degrees. From the 3d to the 17th the
thermometer ranged from three to thirteen degrees above zero.

One of the greatest snow-storms occurred on the 17th of
March, 1843; the streets were impassable, and the old com])any
of Hibernia Greens paraded on that day under the command of
Caj)tain Joseph Diamond. They passed down Chestnut street,
looking more like the \vitches in Macbeth than like soldiers. A
warm thaw and rain set in, and the snow soon disappeared. Since
that time the weather in March has not been so violent.

We should say that the winters lately have not been as severe
as thev were thirty years ago in regard to continued cold. We
have ''cold snaps" that last three or four days, but nothing like
the constant cold weather which many of the present generation
can remember as a usual accompaniment of winter weather.
Philosophers attribute the change to the destruction of the for-
ests, which opens great spaces of the country to the heat of the
sun and favors the evaporation of moisture from the surface of
the earth.

Two extraordinary hail-storms, remarkable for their severity
and the destruction which they caused, have happened in Phila-
delphia within the last twelve years. One occurred on the 25th of
September, 1867, the other on the 8th of May, 1870. The storm
of 1870, according to our memory, did the most damage.

On the 8th of January, 1806, the mercury registered nine and
a half degrees below zero; and that was the coldest day from
1857 to 1877. Mercury freezes at thirty-nine degrees below
zero. It is impossible to say at what temjjerature a man laboring
out of doors should knock off work, further than that he should
cease wlien he cannot stand the cold. This must depend on per-
sonal strength, health, and whether the person is accustomed to
the cold. We know of a gentleman who lived in Minnesota who
says that he has worked out of doors at twenty-four degrees
below zero, and was not fatigued ; but he was accustomed to the
climate. Ex|)lorers in the Arctic regions are out of doors and
engaged in their duties when the weather is much colder than
that.

It would be curious to ascertain M'hen the mode of desiiriiating
tlie months by inimerals was first adopted. It was in use among
the Puritans uf New England long before the rise of Quakerism.

The Post. Alb

Did this custom of numbering the months in New England orig-
inate there? It wouhl be likely that the Puritans would adopt
the style of enumerating the months instead of calling them by
names derived principally from those of heathen gods and god-
desses, which must have been offensive to their prejudices.

1746, p. 371. — From the spring to the autumn of 1746 an
epidemic disease, the angina maligna or putrid sore-throat, pre-
vailed in the Province, as well as in New England and elsewhere.
It was very fatal in its effects, particularly on children and those
living in low places. Great changes in the temperature increased
the number of victims, particularly a time of great heat after cold,
wet, disagreeable weather. The old practice of bleeding was fatal
in the majority of cases

THE POST.

P. 393. — The first list of letters advertised appeared in the
Pennsylvania Gazette of March 21, 1738. It contained about
150 names, or all the letters collected and uncalled for in the
previous six months, mostly for non-residents. Among the for-
gotten places advertised were " Piscataway near Philadelphia,"
*' Shiptown," " AVapping," etc. In 1742 James Reed, printer,
printed " next door to the post-office in Market street."

In July, 1762, the following advertisement appeared in Brad-
ford's Journal: "The lad who was lately employed at the Post-
office as penny-post having ran away, the gentlemen who expect
letters are requested to call for them until a suitable person can
be procured to carry them. Wilt.iam Dunlap."

In 1756 the first stage between New York and Philadelphia
took three days.

The old post-office, since then the Congress Hall Hotel, has
been pulled down. It was kept by Robert Patton, postmaster
from 1791 to 1814. A four-story granite front was erected on
its ruins. It was on Third street, the third house below Elbow
lane. The hotel had also an outlet on Chestnut street below
Third.

The post-office was afterward kept at the corner of Chestnut
and Franklin place, in the house in which Arthur Howell, the
Quaker preacher and currier, lived and died. Richard Bache
was postmaster, and Thomas Sergeant succeeded him, being
brothers-in-law, the former having left for malfeasance in office.

POSTMASTERS OF PHILADELPHIA.

1776. The Pennsylvania Gazette of November 27th says :
"Peter Baynton is appointed postmaster of Philadelphia."

1785. White's Directory gives James Bryson as the name of
the postmaster at that time.

476 Annals of Philadelphia.

1791. Clement Biddle's Directory gives Robert Patton as the
name of the postmaster then.

"Wliethor there was any otlier than James Bryson between the
close of Peter Baynton's term and the commencement of Robert
Ration's I have not boon able to ascertain, nor can I find any-
where the dates of the appointment of James Bryson and Robert
Patton.

February, 1814. IMicliael Leib was appointed in place of Col.
Robert Patton, deceased.

January, 1815. Richard Bache aj^pointed in place of Michael
Lieb, removed.

April, 1828. Thomas Sergeant appointed.

May 1, 1833. James Page succeeded Thomas Sergeant.

April, 1841. John C. Montgomery appointed.

1844. James Hoy, Jr., appointed.

1845. Dr. George F. Lehman appointed.
1849. W. J. P. White appointed.

1853. John Miller appointed.
1857. Gideon G. Wostcott appointed.

1859. Nathaniel B. Browne "

1861. Cornelius A. Walborn "

1866. Charles M. Hall "

1867. H. H. Bingham "
1872. George W. Fairman "
1876. A. Loudon Snowden "
1879. John F. Hartrauft "

LOCALITIES OF THE PHILADELPHIA POST-OFFICE.

1782. An advertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette of Jan-
uary 28th says : " The post-office is removed to Widow Budden's,
in Front street, a few doors south of the Coffee-House." This was
on the west side of Front street, a few doors below Market.

1785. White's Directory says the post-office was "in Front
street near Chestnut street."

1791. Clement Biddle's Directory says No. 36 South Front
street. This was about the fifth house north of Chestnut street,
the same afterward occupied by Holmes & Rainey.

1795. It was removed to No. 34, being the house afterward
occupied by Oliver ct Smith.

1801. Colonel Patton purchased the house N^. 27 South Third
street (built by Lauman & West), third house below Elbow lane,
long known since as Congress Hall, and there he located the post-
office. Colonel Patton died in 1814.

1814. Dr. Leib rented for the post-office the rooms in roar of
John Fries's house, south-west corner of Market and Third streets,
the same afterward occupied by Alexander Benson and others.

1815. Richard Bache kept the post-office at Widow Pattou's,
No. 27 South Third street, but not for a long time.

The Post. 477

1817. The post-office was located by Richard Bache at No. 116
Chestnut street, south-east corner of Carpenters' court. This was
the former residence of Edward Tilghnian, Esq. It was after-
ward, for years, the office of Adams' Express.

1828. The post-office removed to No. 107 Chestnut street, Ar-
thur Howell's property. About this time Franklin place was
oj)ened to Chestnut street, and then the post-office became the
north-east corner. The Franklin House, opened by J. M. San-
derson & Son in 1842, was on the site; David S. Winebrenner
owned it, and bought adjoining properties and enlarged it in
1847-48. It was not very successful, and was torn down, and
the present First National Bank stands upon the site.

1834. The new Exchange on Dock street was finished, and the
post-office was removed to rooms on the north side.

1855. The post-office located in the lower rooms of Jayne's
granite building, north side of Dock street. From here it re-
moved to Chestnut street between Fourth and Fifth, south side,
next to the Custom-House.

In September, 1789, the General Post-Office was in Chestnut
street, south side, about six or seven doors above Front street,
opposite the Washington's Head and office of the Federal Gazette
and P/iiladelphia Evenmg Post, Andrew Brown publisher ; Ebe-
nezer Hazard, Postmaster-General.

In 1791 the General Post-Office M^as at No. 9 South Water
street; Postmaster-General, Samuel Osgood, New York ; Assistant
Postmaster-General, Jonathan Burrell, 9 South Water street; clerk,
Charles Burrell.

Timothy Pickening, appointed Postmaster-General in 1791,
succeeded Osgood, and had his office at the north-east corner of
Fifth and Chestnut streets.

"Blood's Dispatch," for letter delivery, was originally started
as " Halsey's Dispatch," After a short time the interest was
bought out by D. Otis Blood, who was chief clerk and cashier of
the Public Ledger. This was in 1845. It was conducted as
" Blood's Dispatch " by D. O. Blood & Co., and afterward by
Charles Kochersperger & Co. as " Blood's Penny Post." The
offices were at No. 48 South Third street ; in the Arcade building ;
in the Shakespeare building. Sixth street above Chestnut; and in
Fifth street near Chestnut. An act of Congress, aimed at all the
city-dispatch posts, which was passed in 1861, broke up the
establishment, and the Kocherspergers went into the business of
manufacturiflg; extracts.

478 Annals of Philadelphia,

OF QUACKS.

P. 388. — In 1742 one Jolin Hanson advertised as bleeder and
tooth-drawer and veterinary surgeon, " ibr these twenty years ex-
perienced in curing all or most all distempers in cows, oxen, and
calves." Another, Anthony Xoel, " can bleed, draw teeth, and
cure all sorts of wounds incomparably well."

In 1732 a colored "doctor" had a great run from every class
of citizens to have the toothache cured by extracting a worm from
the tooth ! " The beau, the belle, the physician, the patient, the
wit, the fool, the man of sense, the coxcomb, the married, the
single, the old, the young — and, in short, all sorts and sexes of
whatever denomination, that ever suffered or expected to suffer
an aching tooth — have run unanimously to the wormer. It was
certainly truly laughable to see a dirty Ethiop fumbling in the
mouth of a fair belle — to observe the black undertaker communi-
cating by his more than Faustian piece of stick the drivel from
his own to the fauces of a dainty beau."

On September 6, 1739, the Mercury printed a recipe for cur-
ing the stone, for which the British Parliament had paid five
thousand ])ounds to Joanna Stevens, and the efficacy of which
was certified to by archbishops, chancellors, dukes, lords, bishops,
and doctors. It was this : A powder of egg-shells and garden-
snails calcined ; a decoction of Alicant soap; swine's cresses burnt
to blackness with green chamomile, sweet fennel, parsley and bur-
dock-leaves; pills composed of calcined snails, burdock-seeds,
"alysenkeys," and other articles burnt to a blackness and com-
bined with soap and honey.

In 1749 one Patrick Wilson, a Scotchman, at the Horse Saw-
mill, near the New Market, made a snuff ''after the same man-
ner as in Scotland, with an addition more suited for health and
purgation of the head and stomach ; for having, by long study
and experience, found out the chief disorders of the body may be
allayed by means of air or breath, and seeing most of these dis-
orders does proceed from cold, moist airs, M'hich stagnates the
wheels, as also corrupts the pores of the body, and seeing the
greatest part of mankind makes use of snuff, it being an excellent
mean against damp or sulforus airs, but especially those which I
have made and considered, and now sell as common to all. Also
to be sold, the .sternutatory or sneezing powder, at one shilling
per ounce."

In 1751, Daniel Goodman, a seventh son, a baker living in
Second street between Market and Chestnut, advertised he would
cure the king's evil, and, to prove his name, for nothing; but for
his " infallible cure for the bite of a mad dog, which had been in
use in Old England for fifty years, and never missed curing where
the skill of the ablest physician had failed," he would charge " five

The First Daily Newspaper. 479

shillings for a man or woman ; for a beast, two shilling and six-
pence."

THE FIRST DAILY NEWSPAPER.

Mr. "Watson (on p. 397 of Vol. II,) says that the Pennsylvania
Packet, or the General Advertiser, which was afterward merged
into the North American, was "the^rsi (fa //y newspaper in all the
United States." It was changed to a daily September 21, 1784.

Mr. J. Morton, in the Piiblic Ledger of December 16, 1876,
says : " I have an original copy of a daily newspaper, The 3Iorn-
ing Post and Daily Advertiser, dated August 24th, 1789, num-
bered 1600, printed and published by my grandfather, William
Morton, at No. 231 Queen street. New York City, which he pub-
lished from about the 1st of July, 1784, daily. In the year 1783,
Morton & Hornor published a paper on Tuesdays and Fridays at
No. 7 Water street, called the Neio Yo7'k Horning Post; and in
1782, Messrs. Lewis, Morton & Hornor published the paper;
all of which Thomas, in his History of Printing, omitted to
mention."

Referring to the above statement of Mr. Morton, it will be
seen by the number 1600 on the 24th of August, 1789, that it
must have been published five years and fifty days ; allowing three
hundred and ten days to the year for a daily paper, this would
make the first publication of it about the 1st of July, 1784, which
would be nearly three months earlier than the Pennsylvania
Packet, which was commenced as a daily on September 21st,
1784. It is very curious that the titles of the two papers should
be so similar ; the New York one was entitled The Morning Post
and Dally Advertiser, and the Philadelphia paper. The Pennsyl-
vania Packet, or the General Advertiser, and afterward The Ameri-
can Daily Advertiser.

In January, 1832, a paragraph had been copied into one, or
perhaps more, of our city papers, in reference to the withdrawal
of the venerable John Lang, one of the partners of the Neio York
Gazette, in which the statement is made that the Gazette alluded
to is the oldest daily paper in the United States, and that he was the
first person who had issued a daily newspaper. To this statement
Mr. Zachariah Poulson, then the editor of the Daily Advertiser,
answered as follows: " The Pennsylvania Packet, or the General Ad-
vertiser, vin^ established in November, 1771, by the late Mr. John
Dunlap. He published it once a week in Philadelphia from that
time until September, 1777, when the British army took posses-
sion of the city, from whence he moved the establishment to Lan-
caster, in which place he published the pajier till July, 1778. On
his return to Philadelphia, Mr. Dunlap ])ublished it twice a week
for several years, and then formed a co2)artnership with Mr. David

480 Annals of PhiladeJplda.

C. Claypoole; they issued their paper tlirice a week until the 21st
of September, 1784, on which day they converted it into a daily
paper; and it was, undoubtedly, the first daily jjaper printed on
the American continent, north or south. The present editor re-
members the occurrence perfectly : it was noticed at the time in
almost all the papers published in America as a most enterprising
and hazardous undertaking. The title of the paper was soon after
altered by Messrs. Dunlap & Claypoole to its present designation
— 77je American Daily Advertiser."

11. Aitkin's Small Bible, p. 400, — Mr. Aitkin was very well
known to my grandfather, who Mith a number of gentlemen
aided him with the means to print this edition of the Bible. Mr.
Aitkin presented him with the first copy of the first edition of
the Scriptures ever printed in the English language in America,
and wrote on the fly-leaf a certificate to that effect in his own
handwriting. Thomas, in his History of Printing , denies the fact
that it was the first edition, and refers to some other.

Water Street, p. 401. — Stephen Girard lived and died (on Dec.
30, 1831) on Water street, between Market and Arch streets. The
row of citv stores is built upon his property. (See Peg. Penna.,
viii. 431.)^

P. 401. — Alexander AYilcocks, then Recorder of the city, after-
ward lived and died in Arch street, in the second house above the
Second Presbyterian Church, formerly at the corner of Third
street. This hoase stood as late as 1856, as also did the old
house next above it in Avhich Dr. Dunlap lived, a celebrated ac-
coucheur. Matthew Clarkson, one of the city mayors, also lived
next door or next but one, and next to him Captain Heysham.
Next was Kearsley's Episcopal Hospital for Old Women, after-
ward removed to the rear of the lot, on Cherry street. Then
came Mr. Sergeant's house, opposite whose door stood a very
large buttonwood tree, and under it a celebrated pump. Next
was a red frame shop of David Evans, a coffin- and blind-maker
— a funny, eccentric fat man — at the east corner of Loxley's court,
Loxlev himself living at the M'est corner of it.

Statistic Facts, p. 403. — When William Penn settled Pennsyl-
vania he laid out the county of Philadelphia, and in a portion of
it, running from the Delaware to the Schuylkill, between what
■was afterward Vine and South streets, he established the city of
Philadelphia. There were, therefore, two jurisdictions — a city
jurisdiction and a county jurisdiction. In time, portions of the
county adjoining the city were erected into what were called dis-
tricts, with municipal governments on the same general plan as
the city. This became inconvenient in time, in consequence of
every district having its own laws and government, the interest
of the localities becoming entirely different from one another,
when they might have been the same. Therefore there arose a
demand that the conflicting governments should be united. Thia

Statistic Facts. 481

was done in 1854 by the act of Consolidation, by whicli the
boundaries of the old city of Philadelphia were extended so as to
include the whole county, wiping out the district governments.
For territorial purposes the city of Philadelphia has taken up the
entire county. The territory has been divided into wards in the
built-up parts, as well as in the rural sections. There is, there-
fore, no county of Philadelphia composed of landed territory.
But under the constitution of the State and old laws counties
were instituted, and for some purposes have to be kept up in
name. While actually there is no county of Philadelphia, ideally
it may be said that for the purpose of maintaining legal forms
there is a county of Philadelphia. Applying the condition of
affairs to human physiology, it may be said that the city of Phil-
adelphia is the body and the county is the soul.

That portion of the city west of the river Schuylkill was divided
from the earliest times into the townships of Blockley and King-
sessing. After the commencement of the present century Hamil-
ton of the Woodlands laid out a village south of Market street
called Hamilton Village. Mr. Britton laid out Mantua Village.
The village known by the name of Hestonville was commenced
by the erection of buildings near a famous old tavern there. Mon-
roe Village and Haddington are the names of small settlements.
West Philadelphia was incorporated as a borough February 17th,
1844, and its title was changed to "the District of West Phil-
adelphia," April 3d, 1851. The name "West Philadelphia"
was popularly given to that part of the city west of the river long
before those dates.

P. 405. — Our people increased faster, because of the sturdy
character of the emigration yearly added to our population, as it
is a well-known fact the real American population is decreasing
in its growth, while the foreign population is increasing. For
instance, in 1831 there arrived at this port one vessel, bringing
26 German or Swiss families, consisting of the parents and 103
children, of whom 28, or 14 pairs, are twins, and of these twins
6 pairs are the production of 3 families. The ages were from
one to four years, except one pair, which was ten years of age.
Of the 14 pairs, 5 pairs were all male, 5 were female, and 4 pairs
were male and female. Three other vessels at about the same
time, and from the same place, had each two pairs, and one other
vessel four pairs on board.

Nicholson, 'p. 416. — The State having been paid, he retrans-
ferred his lands to the heirs, who sold their claims to Mr. Jleil-
man of WilHamsport.

Penn\ Mile-stones, p. 420. — One of these is in the Pennsylvania
Historical Society's collection. The allusion by Watson to these
mile-stones (see pp. 420 and 484), as having three balls, is in-
correct. Dr. Smith, author of the History of Dehnvare County,
said he had " heard that these balls were supposed to represent
Vol, III.— 2 F 41

482 Annals of Philadelphia.

the arms of Admiral Penn, being three cannon-balls," instead of
three plates on the fess, as is said in Westcott's History of PJiifa-
delphia. The heraldic l)carings of the Penns are found in Ed-
mundson's Heraldry and in Burke's Landed Gentry, where both
descriptions are similar. The error in relation to the " plates,"
which construed them to be " balls," is excusable, in consequence
of the old mile-stones which bore the Penn arms having the
" plates " raised above the fess, and cut so as to present the ap-
pearance of balls in bas-relief.

A mile-stone marked *' 1 M. to P." as late as two years ago
stood at the northern corner of Keen & Coates's tannery, Xo. 943
North Front street. It is a dressed stone, with a circular top,
about one foot and a half in height, ten inches wide, and six
inches thick. This indicated, as all the old mile-stones did, the
distance from the old court-house at Second and Market streets.
While the old stone has been performing its silent duties what a
change has been going on around it ! Miles of houses have been
built beyond it, while the edifice to which it directed the traveller
has disappeared from the face of the earth, and will soon be re-
membered but by few.

PAPER MONEY.

P. 440. — Paper money w^as also issued at times, by individuals.
In May, 1746, Joseph Gray gave notice that Franklin had print-
ed for him £27,100 in notes of hand of 2*:/., 3c?., and 6(/., *'out
of sheer necessity for want of pence for running change. . Who-
ever takes them shall have them exchanged on demand with the
best money I have."

In 1749 the scarcity of small change was so great that the in-
habitants petitioned for relief, and a committee of the Assembly
was appointed to bring in a bill for the issue of £20,000, mostly
in small bills.

In December, 1766, there was formed an association for issuing
paper money to relieve the pressure for change. Eight reputable
merchants issued £5 notes to the amount of £20,000, payable at
nine months with five per cent, interest. It was soon evident
that any one might do the same thing, and the community be
flooded \vith a valueless currency. It at the same time was a
new way of borrowing capital. A petition signed by 200 trades-
men was presented to the Assembly, which forbade it.

Lotteries and Steamboats. 483

LOTTERIES.

Steeple to the neio Presbyterian church, p. 444. — This steeple,
of which the upper part was of wood, having become dangerous
by decay, was taken down, and on enlarging the church the
space occupied by the base of the steeple was taken into the
church, and finally the whole church was sold and pulled down
in 1836, and the new one in Seventh street below Arch erected.
The former site was sold to Mr. Woodward, a tobacconist, who
erected a fine row of stores upon it.

The elders and good people of that day had no religious scru-
ples about lotteries, as they have now in this age of reform. They
were acknowledged by law, and the most resj)ectable and best men
then thought it no sin to be managers, and nothing like cheating
was dreamed of. The drawing then required several days, all
the numbers being j)laeed in one wheel and all the blanks and
prizes in another. Since the introduction of the Italian mode of
drawing only a few numbers, by which the scheme is regulated,
and which occupies only a few hours, there is believed to be
much cheating and many people are ruined.

By an act of the Legislature lotteries were entirely prohibited
in this State. Still, tickets for lotteries in other States are clan-
destinely sold, and they are only still maintained by churches
and religious associations! In December, 1877, a fair was held
in this city by which $20,000 was raised by lottery for building-
lots, jewelry, railroad-tickets, horses and carriages.

STEAMBOATS.

p, 44g. — The first steamboat perhaps in the world was that of
John Fitch, a small skift' with a small steam-engine, July 20,
1786. It had paddles at the sides. Aug. 22, 1787, a larger one,
forty-five feet long, was run by Fitch and Henry Voigt before
the Constitutional delegates ; next year it ran as far as Burling-
ton. In 1789 they ran another one. From June to October,
1790, it plied regularly from the city to Trenton, stopping at
Burlington and Bristof; also to Gray's Ferry, Chester, and Wil-
mington; this one had the paddles at the stern. In 1791 the
Perseverance was commenced, but she was blown from her moor-
ings, wrecked on Petty's Island, and the company were out of
funds and she was given up. Besides the paddles at the side and
end, Fitch had tried the paddle-wheel and the screw-]iropcllcr.

Fulton, who had been a silversmith, and was afterward a min-
iature-painter in 1785 at the corner of Second and Wa In i\t streets;

484 Annals of Philadelphia.

got his ideas of a steamboat from Fitch's, and from one of Sym-
ington's in Scotland, on which ho was a passenger.

Samuel Morey built a boat at Burlington in 1796; it had side-
wheels, ran to the city in 1797, and was a success, but was not
run for want of funds by Morey and his partner, Dr. Burgess
Allison.

In 1804, Oliver Evans launched his affair, as described by
Watson, and came round into the Delaware as far up as Dunks'
Ferry, now Beverly (sixteen miles), and returned.

The Phoenix was the next, built at Hoboken by John C. Ste-
vens in 1807. As she came round by sea, because Fulton had got
the right to New York rivers, she may be said to be the first that
navigated the Atlantic. She ran between the city and Borden-
town from 1809 to 1813 ; from thence stages conveyed the pas-
sengers to Washington, N. J. ; thence by boat to New York.

in 1812 the New Jersey ran to Whitehill, two miles below
Borden town.

The Eagle took the place of the Phoenix In 1813, making three
trips a week. She was built at Kensington by Capt. Rogers. She
was afterward blown up on Chesapeake Bay.

The Philadelphia, or " Old Sal," was also put on the same line
in 1813, and ran till 1826, when she was taken to New York
and her engine transferred to another hull. She made thirteen
and a half miles with the tide.

The Bristol was also run to Burlington in 1813; her boiler
exploded, and she was taken to New York.

Capt. William Whilldin built the Delaware at Kensington in
1816, and ran to New Castle on the Baltimore route, and when
that was discontinued she went on Cape May trips.

The Vesta in 1816 to Wilmington ; the Etna in 1816 to Wil-
mington ; the Baltimore in 1817; the Superior in 1819; the
Pennsylvania and the Splendid in 1819, — all followed, together
with others down to the year 1830, for service on the New York
and the Baltimore lines. Great competition was kept up for a
while lietwecn the Union, the Citizens', and Columbian lines to
New York, until the building of the Camden and Amboy Rail-
road. INIany of us can remember the route to Bordentown, and
thence by railroad to Amboy ; then the other route to Trenton,
afterward to Bristol ; after that again to Tacony, and after that
from the city to New York by all rail, or ferry to Camden.

In 1826, on account of the numerous boiler-explosions, safety-
bargos were towed at the stern of each steamer, but were soon
abandoned.

On the SchuylUill a small boat was built at Norristown, and
so named, to run between that place and the city. The navi-
gation was so difficult that they soon transferred her to run from
the city up the Rancocas on the Mount Holly route.

The first steamer to cross the Atlantic was the American steam-

Hailroads and Canals. 485

sliip Savannah, Captain Moses Rogers, from New York to Liver-
pool, and Cronstadt, Russia, in the summer of 1819.

RAILROADS AND CANALS

In January, 1768, complaints were made of the remaining ob-
structions in the Schuylkill. " Philadelphus " in the Pennsyl-
vania Ckronide proposed a system of dams, and that a company
should be formed for slack-water navigation — ideas that M^ere
almost exactly carried out by the Schuylkill Navigation Company
so many years afterward. He argued that the previous removals
of obstructions had given a more rapid movement to the river
and made the water shallower. He proposed sixteen dams to
back the water and increase the depth between the city and
Reading, at a cost of £96,000. With a good road on the banks,
a fiatboat of 100 tons could be hauled by two horses and man-
aged by four men, take a week or ten days, and not cost over
£10 — could bring one hundred tons and take twenty-five tons
back, at a profit of £47. He argued a business would be done
that would pay a profit of seven per cent. This opened a dis-
cussion in the papers that was continued for a long time. One
person replied, saying it would destroy the shad-fisheries, of
which there were eighty or ninety worth each £100 a year. He
proposed low dams of two feet, which would be cheaper and not
destroy the fish. Other estimates made differed as to the cost.

P. 469. — Long before Oliver Evans constructed his amphib-
ious steam-carriage and steamboat — in fact, in 1763 — Nicholas
Joseph Cugnot of Paris, France, constructed a model of a steam-
carriage, and in 1769 he built an engine which ran tolerably well
on common roads. In England, William Murdoch built a suc-
cessful steam-carriage in 1784. Both of these preceded Oliver
Evans's attempt in 1804. (See p. 162.) _.

The first railroad in this coimtry was on Beacon Hill, near
Boston, Massachusetts, in 1807. It was built by Silas Whitney
to haul gravel from the top of the hill to the bottom, and con-
sisted of two tracks. The next was from Thomas Leiper's stone-
quarries on Crum Creek, Delaware county, Pa., to his landing
on Ridley Creek, a distance of about one mile, in 1809. The
next railroad (five-foot gauge) was that from the granite-quarries
at Quincy to the Neponset River in Massachusetts, a distance of
about three miles, which was commenced in 1826 and finished
in 1827. In Jan., 1826, was commenced the novel " mule-road,"
nine miles in length, connecting the Summit Hill coal-mines, back
of Mauch Chunk, with the Lehigh River, It was in operation
May, 1827.

On August 8; 1829, tl^e first IpcQmptiye that ever turned ^

41 «

486 Annals of Philadelphia.

driving-wheel on a railroad-track in America was run at Hones-
dale, Pa., on the ncwly-finislied road that connected the Lacka*
wanna coal-fields with tide water on the Hudson Canal. Tiie
road in question was the first of any ijeneral commercial import-
ance ever built in this country, and inaugurated the economical
system of inclined planes, since adopted by engineers wherever
practicable. It is claimed by some that at about the same time
Peter Cooper of New York built the first American locomotive —
the "Tom Thumb" — in 1829, and tried it on the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, thirteen miles of which had then been laid. It
did not work quite so well as he desired, tliough it was caj^able
of locomotion, and he remodelled it. On August 28th, 1830, it
made a perfectly satisfactory trip, running thirteen miles in an
hour and a quarter. The Tom Thumb, however, was only an
experiment. The first American locomotive built for actual ser-
vice Avas the " Best Friend of Charleston," ordered March 1st,
1830, by the South Carolina Railroad Com])any of the West
Point Foundry, New York. It was completed in October, 1830,
and shipped to Charleston. It made its trial trip November 2d,
1830, and worked satisfactorily. The second American engine
for actual service was built by the same parties for the same com-
pany, and was put on the railroad in March, 1831.

Tiie first act passed in America, and the first railway built in
the State for general commerce, was by the State of Pennsylvania;
it was the Philadelphia and Columbia R. R., 84i miles long.
The first car was run over it from Philadelphia to AVest Chester
December 25th, 1833, and after that time the road was open for
regular travel between those points. In the early part of June,
1834, the Philadelphia Gazette notes the fact that cars were run-
ning from Philadelphia to Columbia on regular fare. The second
track between Philadelphia and Columbia was completed and for-
mally opened by an excursion in which Governor Wolf took part
on the ()th of October, 1834. The Legislature in 1828 had al-
ready ordered it to be continued to York, and surveys to be
ijiarl'e to carry it farther west, as well also as surveys for a rail-
road from Harrisburg to Chambersburg ; then from Frankstown
to Johnstown by inclined planes, to get over the mountains.

The first T rail was made in this State in 1846, by Thomas
Hunt, at his rolling-mill near Gray's Ferry. The rolls were
made at the Bush Hill Iron Works, and were designed, turned,
and prepared by two ongin/eei's, James Moore, proprietor of the
ab(jve-numed works, and Isaac S. Cassin of this city.

Pas8enger-cars ran in Market street long before the davs of
city passenger railways, and as soon as the Market street railway
was established, which was about the year 1833. Thev ran from
Eightli and Market streets to Broad street, up Broad to Willow
street, and so out to Fairmount and the Columbia Railroad
Bridge, yujthermore^ tliey raq Ott Sundays,

Railroads and Canals. 487

The Farmers' Schuylkill Wholesale Market intend to erect (in
1879) on the south side of Market street, from Thirtieth street to
the river Schuylkill, a spacious market-house. The ground on
which it is to be built formed during the Revolution the western
approach to the floating bridge built by General Putnam ; was
the starting point of the West Philadelphia Railroad — an enter-
prise which, about 1835, in a season of speculative venture, had
gone so far as the grading of a road up to the Inclined Plane,
but which was afterward abandoned ; and was also intersected by
the canal around the Avestern abutment of the Permanent Bridge.
This canal, which was constructed about 1833-34 for the purpose
of accommodating the trade on the Schuylkill, extended from a
point a short distance below the bridge, passed through the
ground now to be occupied by the Schuylkill Market, and issued
into the main stream not far above. Built though it was amid
some popular clamor, yet it was used in such a limited degree as
to be of no importance whatever, and the project proved a melan-
choly failure from the beginning. For some years prior to the
time it was filled the canal was considered a nuisance. The rail-
ings and guards on Market street were in decay, and two or three
persons were drowned in consequence of falling in. There were
two drawbridges over the canal — one on the direct line of Mar-
ket street, and the other farther north, on a turnout that com-
menced at Mrs. Boone's tavern, now used as offices by the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company. When the bridge on Market street
was opened, vehicles and pedestrians passed over the upper or
north bridge. The space between the two bridges was walled up
Avith stone, and the canal passed into neglect when the State con-
cluded to abandon the Inclined Plane route and to use the present
site — what is now known as the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The Aramingo Canal was controlled by a stock company. The
route for the canal was surveyed in 1841, and can be found on
the city maps for 1842 or 1843. It began at Dyottville, near
the present site of the Kensington Water-works, and took a
north-westerly course to a point about a mile north of Frankford.
The total length of the canal was a fraction over five and a half
miles. There was considerable excitement in Kensington at the
time work was begun on the canal. The manner in which the
work progressed for a while gave hopes of a speedy completion,
but a failure to " pony up" by the majority of the smaller stock-
holders compelled the company to suspend operations, and it re-
mains to this day unfinished. Among those who invested largely
and gave considerable time to further the enterprise were Joshua
B. Lee, Alexander Jauney, and Edward Spain.

488 Annals of Philadelphia.

PASSENGER RAILROADS.

P. 469. — The expectations of Mr. Watson about railroads have
been as quickly realized as have been what was thought the in-
sane ideas of Oliver Evans in regard to railroads and carriages.
The slow, cumbrous, and noisy omnibuses had to give way to
the more convenient city passenger railways.

In June, 1857, a supplement to the Philadelphia and Delaware
llailroad act was passed by the Legislature, authorizing the
construction of a track along Sixth street, southward to Morris
street. This road was speedily made, and commenced operations
January 21st, 1858, with great success, running on Fifth and
Sixth streets from Frankford to Southwark.

At the session of the Legislature laws for creating several other
railroads for passengers through the streets were passed, to some
of which, especially through Chestnut and Walnut streets, there
was much opposition. Pamphlets Avere published, and some
large owners of property threatened to sell out and move away
from the route. They have so permeated the entire city that it
is with difficulty any street of importance can be found that
has not cars running uj>on it.

In July, 1858, the cars on the West Philadelphia road com-
menced running through Market street to Eighth street, where
they stopped until the road was made to Third street, and finally
to Front street. On the 29th of the same month the cars besaa
to run on the Tenth and Eleventh streets road. On the 8th of
September the Race and Vine streets cars commenced running
between the Exchange and Fairmount. December 4th of the
same year the Spruce and Pine streets commenced, it having
bought the omnibus line on Spruce street for $14,779, and on
Pine street for $14,998, or §29,777 for the two. The German-
town Passenger Railway Company was chartered by act of April
21st, 1858, with authority to lay tracks upon the Germantowu
turnpike; and to lay tracks on Fourth and Eighth streets, be-
tween Coates and Dickinson, by act of March 24th, 1859. The
road was laid during the summer of that year. These were fol-
lowed the same year (1859) by the Green and Coates, the Chest-
nut and Wahiut, the Seventeenth and Nineteenth, and so on
until all the streets are occupied.

The city railway cars commenced to run regularly on Sunday
in Philadel[)hia about 1867, in consequence of a decision of the
Supreme Court in the case of Sparhawk et al. against the Union
Passenger Railway Company, to the effect that the running of
the cars was not a breach of the ])cace, and therefore not punish-
able criminally.

The omnibuses which the cars supplanted first commenced to
run June 1, 1833, and were started by Mr. Reeside. They were

Windmill, or Smith's, Island. 489

a success at once; others were put on the line in a few weeks, and
they then ran every half hour between the Merchants' Coffee-
house and the Schuylkill. In June another line was started, and
ran between Dock street and Kensington.

WINDMILL, OR SMITH'S, ISLAND.

P. 470. — In 1683-85, according to Holme's map, there were two
mudbanks in the Delaware — one opposite Spruce and Pine streets,
and the other in front of Southwark. They kept on increasing
gradually by deposits by the current, until the two became united
by a shoal and were uncovered at high water. In 1746, Harding
and his son built a wliarf and windmill at an expense of six hun-
dred pounds. It was an unfortunate enterprise, for the father
died, and the son sold their interest to George Allen, a ship-
wright ; he sold his interest in it to William Brown, who pur-
chased a lease on the island in 1759 for ninety-nine years, at one
shilling sterling per annum, from the Proprietaries, and it was
confirmed to him in 1761 by Governor Hamilton. (See Secretary
Peters's letter to Councils in their published minutes, 1704-1776,
p. 651.) There was a ferry from the city to Windmill Island.

The size of the island was so small that the windmill and a
small house nearly covered it. The mill had a curious hexagon
cap upon it, rising in three tiers to an ornamental top-piece. The
building itself was hexagon, nuich larger at the base, gradually
sloping smaller to the middle of its height, and then rising
straight above it. It was stayed by ropes to the wharf.

The position of the island seems to be gradually changing,
and it is increasing at the northern end. In 1750 the island
extended southwardly nearly to Christian street, M'ith a small
island adjoining it on the south. Now it is much above that
point. There was a raudbank north of it, part of which has
become fast land.

The island has long been used as a bathing-ground and pleas-
ure-garden, mostly for the lower classes. As early as 1826 it was
so used. Floating baths were then kept there by one Coglan, and
they were spoken of as " a well-conducted and most useful estab-
lishment."

Floating baths on the Delaware were the predecessors of the
use of Smith's (or Windmill) Island as a bathing-place. The
first of them, we believe, was originated by Heppard, who after-
ward kept the Pennsylvania Hotel, in Sixth street below Arch
street, afterward James Douglass's hotel. The floating baths lay
upon the water like low houses, with white or yellow sides and
green Venetian window shutters. Rabineau's floating baths at
the Battery, New York, give a good idea of these structures.

490 Annals of Philadelphia.

Sometimes these floating baths were moved on or near the bar
above the island, and Coglan's baths were either there or at the
island, as the services of boatmen to convey the bathers were

necessary.

An act of Assembly, passed 14th of February, 1838, author-
ized Councils to make a canal and other improvements on Wind-
mill Island. (Ordinances, 1843, p. 819.)

See Memorial of Edwin A. Stevens in relation to "Windmill
Island, 1852; as also several pamphlets of George N. Tatham,
who purchased it and obtained a patent from the Legislature
1856. One end of the island is now used as a bathing-place and
pleasure-garden, small steamboats running to it. The southern
end is a coal depot for the Lehigh Navigation Company. It is
better knoAvn now by the name of Smith's Island than its orig-
inal one of Windmill Island. An attempt was started in 1878
to have the island removed from the Delaware as an impedi-
ment to navigation for large vessels.

Windmill Island belongs to the State of Pennsylvania, and is
a part of the city of Philadelphia, being attached to the Fifth
Ward. Petty's Island, opposite Kensington, belongs to the State
of New Jersey. The ownership of the islands in the river Del-
aware between Pennsylvania and New Jersey was settled by
agreement or treaty between the two States soon after the Rev-
olution. It was stipulated that they should be taken alternately
by each State as they lay upon the river. By this arrangement
AVindmill Island Avent to Pennsylvania, the first island below to
New Jersey, and so on, down to the Capes.

P. 474.-^The Pea Patch Island dispute was settled by a trial
before John Sergeant in January, 1848; a printed account was
})uljlished in J. W. Wallace's report of the Pea Patch case. By
the evidence given in the case the island was in 1783-84 only the
size of a man's hat. The late Commodore Stewart said it had
its origin in the fact that a brig in 1791, from "Down East,"
loaded with peas and beans, was cut through by the ice, and
the wa*ter got in and swelled the peas and beans, and she was
wrecked there. The John in the winter of '98 was cut through
and sunk, and that gave the name to " Ship John Shoal."

The River Schuylkill. 491

THE RIVER SCHUYLKILL.

P. 475. — After the ferries which were established by law be-
came insufficient for the travel to and from the city, the next ar-
rangement was floating bridges ; these, of course, were placed on
the leading routes, such as at Gray's Ferry, where was the chain
bridge and bridge of boats ; at Market street ; and at Callowhill
street.

"Penrose Ferry" and the "Pope Ferry" were names for the
same place. The location of the ferry was where Penrose Ferry
Bridge now stands. There Avas a rope, which Avas elevated on
poles and crossed the Schuylkill. A flat scow, on which wagons
and carriages could be driven, crossed the river. The scow was
pulled across by the ferrymen taking hold of the rope, and pulling
the scow across by that guide. AVhen a vessel came there, the
rope was lowered to the bottom of the river and the vessel sailed
over it.

The Permanent Bridge. — At Market street what was known as
the " Middle Ferry " was among the earliest started. Putnam
built a floating bridge in 1776, which after the battle of Brandy-
wine, in 1777, was taken up and stored away. The British built
a bridge during their occupation of the city, which was afterward
removed to Gray's Ferry, and did service there. Putnam's bridge
was replaced, but was carried away by a flood March 15, 1804.
A "permanent" bridge company was formed in 1798, which laid
the corner-stone in 1800, and built a bridge which was finished
in 1804. This gave way in 1850 to a new bridge, which was
itself destroyed by fire from explosion of gas, November 20, 1875.
It was rebuilt as it now stands, an open truss bridge, by the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company in less than thirty days, and for
less than the contract price of $75,000, in December, 1875. It
was intended to be a temporary structure, and not guaranteed for
more than five years. What we should have is a truly " perma-
nent" bridge of stone. The old bridge consisted of three arches,
resting on two piers of stone, still standing, besides the two abut-
ments. The middle arch had 194 feet span, and each of the
others 150 feet.

Hereafter, when the corner-stone of the eastern abutment of this
bridge is discovered — which may be when that structure is remodel-
led and the abutment torn away — whoever lives to inspect that me-
morial will be very much puzzled with the inscription upon it. It is
as follows: "T. F. C. S. O. T. S. P. B. W. L. Oct. xviii. MDCCC."
This inscription was cut on the stone by John Lewis, the mason.
He explained it to mean as follows : " This first corner-stone of
the Schuylkill Permanent Bridge Avas laid October 18th, 1800."
A contemporary, who recorded the fact in his diary, observed : " On
receiving this explanation I asked Lewis how lie could suppose

492 Annals of Philadelphia.

that after ages would be able to discover the true interpretation
of his inscription. Assuming a very grave countenance, he an-
swered, emphatically, * Why, sir, by the time they will dig up
that stone the people will be much more lamed than you and
I be.'"

Breastworks at Gray's Ferry during the War of 1812. — On the
31st of August, 1814, the arrangements for the construction of the
forts was made by the appointment of General Jonathan Williams
as chief military engineer, and Colonel Foncin as assistant ; for
the topographical department. Dr. R. M. Patterson, William
Strickland, and John Biddle ; for the direction of labor, Messrs.
Souder, Wesener, Eckstein, Belon, Eckfeldt, and Cloud ; for oc-
casional agencies, Messrs. Kingston, Evers, etc. Subsequently,
the number of superintendents for the direction of labor was
increased to twenty-six persons, the majority of whom were
not members of the Committee of Defence. Among the latter
was Nicholas Esling. (See p. 173.)

The Schuylkill an Avenue of Commerce. — The Schuylkill front
was of little commercial value until the establishment of the
Schuylkill Navigation Company. Being upon the river on
which all the Schuylkill coal was transported, the western
front of the city then became of great importance. Under the
stimulus of speculation the price of ground adjoining the stream
increased rapidly in value. Among the first stores and svare-
houses erected for the Schuylkill trade were those of J. R. &
J. M, Bolton, which were upon the river near the Upper Ferry.
They put up two extensive warehouses, and did a large business
not only in coal, but in provisions, which were brought down by
the Union Canal. They sold plaster, fish, and salt for the use of
farmers residing in the interior, and their establishment was very
prominent in the business of the Schuylkill. The city built,
about 1832 or 1833, large warehouses on the Schuylkill front
between Market and Chestnut street, which remained for many
years. Below that, as far as South street, there were large coal-
wharves. Under the stimulus of this trade there was built at the
south-east corner of Chestnut street and Twenty-fourth a large
hotel, which was in an excellent situation to do a good business.
The Reading Railroad, opened January 10th, 1842, soon made a
change in the coal-trade. It was diverted to the Delaware by
the establishment of a depot at Port Richmond. The coal-trade
of the Schuylkill lingered for some years under the aus])ices of
the Schuylkill Navigation Company, but it gradually declined
along the Schuylkill River, until, by the absorption of the canal
company by the Reading Railroad, it may be said to have been
totally destroyed.

A Storm and Flood, October 3, 1869, carried away Penrose
Ferry Bridge and two bridges at Manayunk.

Country-Seats. 493

COUNTRY-SEATS.

Bush Hill and The Woodlands, p. 479. — This property was grant-
ed to Andrew Hamilton by warrants in 1726 and 1729 by the Pro-
prietaries for legal services done them — by Hannah Penn and John,
Kichard, and Thomas Penn. Afterward he bought a portion of
Springettsbury, and a patent for the whole tract of 153 acres was
issued to him in 1734. It included the land north of Vine street
to Coates street, and from Twelfth to Nineteenth street. He
acquired also a noble property in Lancaster county. The town
of Lancaster was laid out on his property in 1728. He also
owned The Woodlands. He died in 1741, a year after his splen-
did mansion was built, and left the Bush Hill property to his
son James, and The Woodlands to his other son, Andrew. His
other child, Margaret, married William Allen, Provincial chief-
justice, a man of great wealth ; one of their daughters married
John Penn, son of Richard Penn, the last Proprietary governor.
(See Vol. I. 594.)

James Hamilton, son of Andrew the first, succeeded to the
Bush Hill property, and was lieutenant-governor 1747-54, and
again 1759-63, and president of the Council in 177L He was
a liberal patron of the arts and sciences, and was president of the
American Philosophical Society before its union with the Society
for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge under the auspices of Dr.
Franklin. He died in New York in 1783.

William Hamilton, son of Andrew the first, died in 1746.

Andrew the second inherited about 300 acres in West Phil-
adelphia, which Andrew the first had obtained from Stephen
Jackson in 1735. He improved his title through a deed executed
by the trustees of the Loan Office. He erected a mansion and
added to the number of acres, and called it "The Woodlands."
He married a daughter of William Till in 1741. He laid out
the portion of West Philadelphia called Hamilton Village, of
which the boundaries are extinguished in the city of Philadelphia.
He devised his property of 35.6 acres August 27, 1747, to his son
William.

William Hamilton never married. He was one of the earliest
patrons of art and collectors of pictures in this country. He cul-
tivated the art of ornamental gardening. The present mansion
in the Woodlands Cemetery was erected about the time of the
Revolution, and is a finer one than the first mansion. William,
at first in favor of the Revolutionary cause, was afterward sus-
pected as a Tory, and went to New York in 1783. Being a
good liver, he became embarrassed and sold the Hamilton Village
lots. He owned the Lancaster property also, on which Lancaster
was built.

His brother, Andrew the third, married Abigail, daughter of

494 Annals of Philadelphia.

David Franks. Their daughter, Ann, married James Lyle;
elie was a beautiful woman. Their daughter married Hartman
Kuhn.

William TTamilton's nephew, "William, succeeded to the estate
of The Woodlands. There were two other nephews, James and
Andrew, who lived in a fine house at the north-east corner of
Seventh and Jayne streets. AVilliam died a bachelor, and An-
drew the fourth married Eliza Johnson, and died abroad. The
names of Hamilton and Allen are extinct, and are only repre-
sented by married daughters, connected with some of the best
families in Philadelphia and Xew York.

3Iount Fleasan^ — This mansion, near the Reading Railroad
Bridge on the Schuylkill, now called Washington Retreat, built
by Captain John Macpherson before the Revolutionary war, was
called Mount Pleasant, He was the father of Captain Jolm Mac-
pherson of the Revolutionary army, who was killed at the siege of
Quebec, and of General William Macpherson, commander, after
the Revolution, of the volunteer organization called Macpherson's
Blues. Ca})tain John jNIacpherson the elder was a privateersman,
and made much money by prizes. John Adams, in his diary
while he was a member of the First Congress in 1774—75, men-
tions a dinner at Macpherson's mansion which he attended, and
speaks enthusiastically of the beauty of the house and the rich-
ness of the entertainment. In 1777 this house was bought by
Benedict Arnold, who was then in command at Philadelphia,
and who had made much money by illicit trade with the British
at New York. The property was confiscated by the State of
Pennsylvania after his treason was discovered, subject to the life-
estate of his wife, formerly Peggy Shippen. It afterward became
the property of General Jonathan Williams. (See Varlo's map
of Philadelphia city and its environs, 1797-98, and John Hill's
map, of 1807-08, for the names of the country-seats on the Schuyl-
kill between Mount Pleasant and Laurel Hill.)

Belmont, p. 480. — Belmont, on the west side of the Schuylkil?,
and now in the Park, was made famous by Richard Peters and
the celebrated com])any which visited there. William Peters,
who gave the name to this estate, brother of Rev. Ricliard Peters,
bought in 1742, from the widow of Daniel Jones (afterward Mrs.
William Coucii), and of the other heirs of Daniel Jones, a, tract
of 220 acres in Blockley township, including the adjacent island
in the river, now called Peters's Island. In 1786, William Petei-s
and his wife transferred this property to their son, Richanl Peters.
It became eminent as the resort of the most noted men of the
time, who assembled to enjoy tlie wit of their host and admire
his excellent farming and the many novel improvements he in-
troduced. The judge was a noted man for his witty repartees,
and during tiie Revolution his aid and iudu-ment were invaluable.

Til •' O

In the garden were two trees planted by Washington and La

WASHINGTON'S BOOK-PLATE.— Page 495.

WASHINGTON'S LEPINK WATCH.
—Page 495.

WASHINGTON'S SWORD
AND FRANKLIN'S CANE.— Page 496.

Relics of Washington. 495

Fayette; many valuable and rare plants also adorned it. The
road passing through this place west of the mansion, leading from
Lancaster turnpike to Schuylkill Falls, was called Monument
road, on account of a monument about twenty-five feet high
erected alongside of it before 1808 ; its object is the subject of
various traditions, but is really unknown.

RELICS OF WASHINGTON.

In many of the books of Washington in his library he had in-
serted his book-plate. It displayed the name and armorial bear-
ings of the owner. The farnily arms were — " Argent, two bars
gules in chief, three mullets of the second. Crest, a raven, with
wings, indorsed proper, issuing out of a ducal coronet, or." It
will be seen by the illustration the shield was white or silver,
with two red bars across it, and above them three spur-rowels,
"the combination appearing like the stripes and stars on our
national ensign. The crest was a raven of natural color issu-
ing out of a ducal golden coronet. The three mullets or star-
figures indicated the filial distinction of the third son. The
motto was Exitus acta probat — " The end justifies the means."

The library was large for the time, and contained the best
books and best editions of the day, but mostly of a solid, practical
character, principally on history, agriculture, law, travels, diction-
aries, military science, pamphlets, maps and charts, etc. It be-
came the property of John A. Washington, who was on the staff
of General Robert E. Lee, and who perished at an early period
of the late civil war. His wife being dead, the books were scat-
tered among their heirs. A portion of them was sold by one of
the heirs through M. Thomas & Son at auction Nov. 28, 1876.
The sale, possessing extraordinary interest for book-collectors, as
well as lovers of relics and of the Father of his Country, brought
bidders from all parts of the country. The books sold compara-
tively low, though of course bringing much higher prices than
the same books ordinarily would. We were fortunate to secure
four volumes containing notes and comments in the clear, bold
hand of their former and illustrious owner.

When Washington went to New York as President, he took
Mr. McComb's house, lately occupied by the French minister,
and purchased part of the latter's furniture. Among the ar-
ticles he obtained a writing-desk, or secretary, and also an
sasy-chair that was used with it. He finally took tiiem to
Mount Vernon, and in his will left them thus : '' To my oom-
panion-in-arms and old and intimate friend, Dr. Craik, I give
my bureau (or, as cabinet-makers call it, tambour secretary) and
the circular chair, an appendage of my study," They are now

496 Annals of Philadelphia.

in possession of a grandson of Dr. Craik, the Rev. James Craik
of Louisville, Ky.

The illustrations of seals are from his seal-ring, which bore his
faniilv arms and motto, and from two watch-seals which he wore
together in early life. Upon each of the last two is engraved his
monogram, one of them being a fac-simile of his written initials.
One of these was lost by Washington himself on the bloody field
of jMonongahela, where Braddock was defeated in 1755, and the
other by his nephew in Virginia more than thirty-five years ago.
Both were found in the year 1854, and restored to the Washing-
ton family !

Washington's watch was one he ordered from Lepine, "watch-
maker to the king." It was smaller and flatter than, and not so
bulky as, the old-fashioned English watch. He carried it, with
his seal and key, both of carnelian, attached to a ribbon. The
dial is of white enamel, the seconds figures carmine red ; the case
is of gold alloyed with copper, giving it the red appearance of
jeweller's gold. The watcli, with the key and seals, became the
property of Bushrod Washington, the general's nephew, and Avas
M'illed by him to Robert Adams of Philadelphia, and at his death
to Bushrod Adams. On March 23, 1830, it was forwarded to
Mr. Adams by John A. Washington, who inherited Mount Ver-
non from his uncle Bushrod. It is now in the possession of
Bushrod Washington Adams of Philadelphia, and is preserved
with the greatest care.

Washington carried with him to Mount Vernon a pair of ele-
gant ])istols, which, with equally elegant holsters, had been pre-
sented to him by the Count de Moustier, the French minister, as a
token of personal regard. These weapons, it is believed, are the
ones presented by Washington to Colonel Samuel Hay of the
Tenth Pennsylvania regiment, who stood high in the esteem of
his general. They bear the well-known cipher of the general,
and were jMirchased at the sale of Colonel Hay's effects after his
death, in November, 1803, by John Y. Baldwin of Xewark, X. J.
His son, J. O. Baldwin, presented one of them to Isaac I. Green-
wood of New York in 1825, in whose possession it remained, the
other having been lost on the occasion of a fire which destroyed
the residence of his mother.

On Christmas Eve, 1783, Washington, a private citizen, arrived
at Mount Vernon, and laid aside for ever his military clothes and
sword. That sword, with Franklin's staff, now stands in a
glass ease in the Patent Office. This sword he had worn through-
out all the later years of the war, and it was doubtless used by him
in the old French war, for upon a silver plate attached to it is en-
graved "1757." It hung at Mount Vernon for almost twenty years.
It is a kind of hanger, encased in a black leather scabbard with
silver mountings. The handle is ivory, colored a pale green
and wound with silver wire in spiral grooves. It was manu-

WASHINGTON'S SECRETARY AND LIBRARY CHAIR.— Page 495.

WASHINGTON'S SEALS.— Page 496.

PUBLIC umm\

ASTOr. ''.NOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

WASHINGTON'S MASONIC APRON, MADE BY MADAME LAFAYETTE.— Page 498.

AVASHINGTON'S PISTOL.— Page 498.

THEKzw YORK I

[PUBLIC library!

J^^;^;-OUNDATI0N3.

Relics of Washington. 497

factured by J. Bailey in Fishkill, New York. Franklin's cane
is a long, knotty black cane, bequeathed to Washington by the
sage in the following clause in the codicil to his will : " My fine
crab-tree walking-stick, with a gold head curiously wrought in
the form of a cap of liberty, I give to my friend and the friend
of mankind, General Washington. If it were a sceptre, he has
merited it, and would become it. It was a present to me from
that excellent woman, Madame de Forbach, the dowager-duch-
ess of Deuxponts."

" The sword of the Hero !
The staff of the Sage !
Wliose valor and wisdom

Are stamped on the age I
Time-liallowed mementos

Of tliose who liave riven
The sceptre from tyrants,

The lightning from heaven."

Morris.

In the same glass case are other interesting relics of Washing-
ton, the most conspicuous of which is his camp-chest, an old-fasii-
ioned hair trunk, twenty-one inches in length, fifteen in width,
and ten in depth, filled with the table-furniture used by the com-
mander-in-chief during the war. The compartments are so in-
geniously arranged that they contain a great number of articles
in a small space. These consist of a gridiron ; tea- and coffee-
pots ; three tin saucepans; five small glass flasks, used for honey,
salt, coffee, port wine, and vinegar; three large tin meat-dishes;
sixteen plates; two knives and five forks; a candlestick and tin-
derbox ; tin boxes for tea and sugar; and five small bottles for
pepper and other materials for making soup.

In September, 1757, in apparent expectation of a wife, the care-
ful bachelor prepares the mansion for her reception. He wrote to
Richard Washington : '' Be pleased, over and above what I have
wrote for in a letter of the 13th of April, to send me 1 doz. Strong
Chairs, of about 15 shillings apiece, the bottoms to be exactly
made by the enclosed dimensions, and of three different colors to
suit the paper of three of the bed-chambers, also wrote for in my
last. I must acquaint you, sir, with the reason of this request.
I have one dozen chairs that were made in the country ; neat, but
too weak for common sitting. I therefore propose to take the
bottoms out of those and put them into these now ordered, while
the bottoms which you send will do for the former, and furnish
the chambers. For this reason the workmen must be very exact,
neither making the bottoms larger nor smaller than the dimensions,
otherwise the change can't be made. Be kind enough to give
directions that these chairs, equally with the others and the
tables, be carefully })acked and stored. Without this caution
they are liable to infinite damage."

Mrs. Ella B. Washington of Columbia Heights is great-grand

Vol. hi.— 2 G 42 *

498 Annals of Philadelphia.

niece of General "Washington, and also of Martha Washington.
She is the widow of Lewis W. Washington, a great-grand-nephew
of George Washington. They formerly lived in Virginia, and
obtained, by virtue of their relationshij), a large number of relics
of the Washington family. The family suffered great losses by
the late war, and at its close Mrs. Washington was obliged to
offer some of the relics for sale. She sold some of the relics to
the State of New York for $20,000.

There w^as a bond of union of peculiar strength between Wash-
ington and La Fayette, other than that of mere friendship. They
were members of the fraternity of Free and Accepted ^Masons,
and both loved the mystic brotherhood sincerely. Madame La
Fayette was deeply interested in everything that engaged the at-
tention of her husband, and she had learned to reverence Wash-
ington with a feeling closely allied to that of devotion. Desiring
to present some visible token of her feelings when La Fayette
resolved to visit Washington at Mount Vernon, she prepared with
her own hands an apron of white satin, upon which she wrought
in needlework the various emblems of the Masonic order. This
ajn-on La Fayette brought with him and presented to his distin-
guished brother. It was kept by Washington as a cherished
memorial of a noble woman, and after his death his legatees
formally presented it to the Washington Benevolent Society of
Philadelphia. When this society was dissolved the precious
memento was presented to the Grand Lodge of Pennsvlvania,
and now occupies a conspicuous position in the Masonic Hall
of Philadelphia, under a glass case in a frame. Washington
was a Past Master.

For his able attack upon Boston and freeing it from the Brit-
ish soldiery Congress decreed a gold medal to the victor. Du-
vivier of Paris cut the die; upon the front in Latin was, "The
American Congress to George Washington, commander-in-chief
of its armies, the assertors of Freedom," and on the reverse,
" The enemy for the first time put to flight— Boston recovered,
17th March, 1776."

Among the numerous portraits of Washington, painted by
every painter to whom he would sit, is one i)ainted on copper
in medallion form, containing the profiles of Washington and
La Fayette in miniature within the same circumference. It was
done by an amateur, the Marchioness de Brienne, an accom-
l)lished writer and skilful artist. She also painted from life a
muuature profile, of which she made several copies, one of which
she gave to Mrs. Bingham. An engraving of it was afterward
made in Paris, and several imj>rcssions were sent to Washinirton.
^ The first portrait ))aiuted from life was that bv Charles Wilson
Peale, about 1 769. It r(>presented Washington at the age of forty,
hfe-size, a little more than half-length, and in the costume of'^a
colonel of the Twenty-second regiment of the Virginia militia.

PROFILES OF WASHINGTON AND LAFAYETTE.— Page 498.

'^^ ^^

PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON BY PEALE.— Page 498.

MEDAL Pl'vKSENTKD TO WASH IN(!TON BY CONGIJKSS.— Page 498.

THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, ' ENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATION^.

Names of Streets. 499

NAMES OF STREETS.

P. 492. — In 1854, Councils ordered finger-boards to be placed
at the corners of Arch and Race streets with those names upon
them instead of Mulberry and Sassafras, although Mulberry street
was commonly called "the Arch street" as early as 1720; and
ordered also the north and south streets to be designated numer-
ically west of Broad street — Fifteenth street instead of Schuylkill
Eighth street, and so on to Twenty-third street. Broad street,
though actually Fourteenth, retains the old name.

In 1856-57 a new arrangement was made by ordinance of
Council for numbering houses — west of Front street, south side,
as 100; west of Second street, 200; of Third street, 300; and so
on to the Schuylkill, the odd numbers on the north side; interme-
diate numbers to correspond numerically; old numbers to be
removed,

Chble Lane, called so as early as 1701, from the ropewalk of
Joseph Wilcox near by, is now called New Market street.

Khig's street. — "At a meeting of Councils held at Philadelphia
7th of June, 1694, present His Excell. Benj. Fletcher, William
Markham, Lt.-Gov., Andrew Kobinson, Robt. Turner, William
Clark, and William Solway, the petition of sundry inhabitants
of Philadelphia, praying that the street upon the Bank in Phil-
adelphia of 30 foot breadth, as the same is agreed upon by the
inhabitants and possessors under hands and seals by indentures,
may be laid out, and surveyed, and cleaned, and afterward held
and reputed a street of the said town of Philadelphia, by the
name of Delaware street; and it is ordered thereupon that the
said street shall be laid out and surveyed forthwith, and after-
ward, as soon as possible, may be cleaned according to the said
indentures and agreement, to be held, reputed, and taken as a
common street of the town of Philadelphia, by the name of
King's street."

Eighth or Garden street. — Eighth street before 1802 was called
Garden street north of Callowhill street; and as late as 1818 was
Garden street, now Delaware Eighth street; and Spring Garden
street was called Spring street.

Hazle or Cherry street, in deeds of 1787.

Sixth street, is called Sumach street, in Record A, 1, p. 11, at
Harrisburg.

Sugar alley, changed to Farmer street, Dec. 22, 1842, ran from
Sixth to Seventh, between Arch and Market.

Greenleafs court, to Merchant street, Jan. 14, 1841.

Relief alley, to Relief street.

Blackhorse alley, Second above Chestnut street, was originally
Ewer's (or Yower's) alley, after Robert Ewer.

Carter^s alley, the first street below Chestnut and Third streets,

500 Annals of Philadelphia.

after William Carter. At a meeting of Councils in 1854 it was
proposed to change the name to "Jayne" street, after Dr. David
Jayne, who erected fine buildings on Cliestnut and Dock streets,
connected by a passage-way across and under Carter's alley* It
was negatived out of regard to Carter, but the alley was dignified
with the name of street. (This Carter was, I believe, the same
who left a small legacy to be dealt out by the Guardians of the
Poor one day in every year. He owned an adjoining lot on
Second street.) It was opened from Exchange place to Third
street within the present century. It originally only extended
from Second street to Goforth alley, now Exchange place.

Goforth alley, now Exchange place, running from Chestnut to
Dock street, derived its name from Jeremiah Goforth, a silver-
smith, who lived adjoining on Chestnut street. About fifty years
ago Goforth alley was built over on Chestnut street, from which
it was enteretl through a dark arched passage.

Jones's lane, or alley, was the first above High street, running
from Front to Second, adjoining a lot of Griffith Jones. It was
afterward called Pewter Platter alley, from a noted tavern with
that sign, a real pewter dish of large size, that stood at the corner
of Front street. It after that was again called Jones's alley, then
Church alley, and now Church street. A slice was taken off
Christ Church ground to widen it, and it now extends to Third
street.

Hudson's alley, or ]]lialebone alley, afterward FranMin place, in
Chestnut street above Third, was ordered to be laid out by Samuel
Hudson in his will dated February 11, 1724. He died in 1726.
It was to adjoin his lot, where was already a four-foot alley between
his ground and that of John Brientnall on the west, on which stood
the house in which Anthony Benezet afterward lived. By Brient-
nall's will the alley Mas widened twelve feet. Though named
Hudson's alley, it was popularly called Whalebone alley, from
the fact that a large whalebone was fastened upon Brientnall's
house. This bone was preserved by Arthur Howell, who kept
a leather store there, and afterward by Andrew Scott, })rinter.

William Hudson, the father of the above Samuel, came in 1682
from Reedness, Fogerl)ury Manor, Yorkshii'e. He was a tanner,
and acquired considerable property on Third street at and below
Chestnut street, and a whole square on Market street between
Fifth and Sixth, and extending to Arch street, which was known
as Hudson's Square. His tanyard was upon the end of a lot
fifty feet wide extending from Chestnut street to Dock Creek,
east of Third street. His house, a fine old-fashioned brick,
stood back from the street near Chestnut street, and had some
large buttonwood trees in the courtyard in front. In 1694 he
added to his proi)erty the house and lot south-east corner of Third
and Chestnut streets. He also owned the tanyard, afterward
Ashburner's, on Third street from the Girard Baiik to Harmony

Historical Society. 501

court, and extending back to Hudson's alley ; Dock Creek came
up to the property then. He was one of the original Common
Councilmen appointed by the charter of 1701 ; was a member
of the Assembly in 1706 and 1724; an alderman in 1715;
and mayor in 1725-26. He died in 1742, leaving many de-
scendants, among whom are those bearing the names of Hud-
son, Howell, Burr, Owen, Emlen, Kinsing, Wharton, Ridg-
way, Metcalf, Fisher, Carman, Lewis, Sykes, and Rawle.

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Owing to the diversity of nations represented by the early
people of Pennsylvania, to the early struggles in enlarging the
settlements, and to the lack of any history to record, the minds
of the citizens were not much turned to thinking of forming an
historical society, such as is now common in every new-settled
State. For nearly two hundred years time passed without any
organized effort to preserve our historical records. True, the
American Philosophical Society in 1815 had an Historical and
Literary Committee, but its efforts and results were small.

In 1824, George Washington Smith being in New York and
intimate with Governor De Witt Clinton, the New York His-
torical Society was a subject of public interest, as Avell as with the
governor. Mr. Smith on his return suggested the formation of a
similar society, and there met at the residence of Thomas I. Whar-
ton, December 2, 1824, Roberts Vaux, T. I. Wharton, Dr. Ben-
jamin H. Coates, Stephen Duncan, William Rawle, Jr., Dr. Cas-
par Wistar, and George W. Smith, who agreed to organize the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

At the next meeting, December 27th, the following additional
members were enrolled : Joseph Hopkinson, Joseph Reed, Thomas
C. James, John Sergeant, Thomas H. White, Gerard Ralston,
William Mason Walmsley, William M. Meredith, Daniel B.
Smith, Charles J. IngersoU, Edward Bettle, and Thomas McKean
Pettit.

It was resolved that the constitution and by-laws should be in
force from February 25, 1825, when an election was held, and
William Rawle elected president. It was incorporated June 2,
1826. The first place of regular meeting of the new association
was in the rooms of the American Philosophical Society, in Fifth
street below Chestnut. Here for twenty years they quietly ex-
isted, and slowly gathered together books and manuscripts, and
published a volume of Memoirs.

In 1844 the society moved to quarters of their own, at 115
(now 211) South Sixth street, and bought a bookcase and fur-
nished the room at a " cost not to exceed $100." When, three

502 Annals of PJiiladelphia.

years later, the Athenseiim had finished their comraodious build-
ing, tlie society moved to tlie upper rooms of it, and there re-
mained twenty-five years.

In 1872 the society moved to their new and present hall. No.
820 Spruce street, and it was inaugurated by an admirable ad-
dress from their president, John William Wallace, March 11, 1872.
At that time, nearly fifty years fron\ their organization, the society
had GOO members, a library of 12,000 volumes, a collection of
80,000 pamphlets — of Avhieh 70,000 were bequeathed by Mr.
Falmestock — a gallery of 65 portraits, 12 historical pictures,
numerous engravings, relics and curiosities, and manuscripts in-
numerable. Among the latter are the collections of Penn and
some of his descendants at Stoke in England, recently purchased
for $4000 by some of the members and presented to the society.
The building fund now amounts to $13,852, the publication fund
to $25,000, the binding fund to $3300, and the life-membership
fund to $7000. The library contains now nearly 20,000 volumes.

The publication fund, which amounted in 1878 to $25,000,
of which only the interest is used, has given to our citizens ten
volumes of valuable Memoirs, including the Correspondence of
Penn and Logan ; the History of the Swedish Settlements upon the
Delaware, by Acrelius; Heckewelder's History of the Indian Na-
tions ; and the Historical Map of Pennsylvania. In this year
also they have commenced the issuing quarterly of The Pennsyl-
vania Mae/azine of History and Biography, with a view of foster-
ing and developing the interest that has been awakened in his-
torical matters, of furnishing means of communication between
those interested in such subjects, and of preserving and circulating
important and isolated materials relating to the State and nation.

In the account of the Pennsylvania Hospital, on p. 331, on
whose ground the Historical Society is now located, will be found
a notice of the Picture-House, which it now^ occupies. The man-
agers of the hospital having placed at the command of the society
for a long term of years their building on Spruce street, the so-
ciety raised the sum of $15,000, and adapted it to their uses
by considerably enlarging the building, building large fireproof
closets or rooms, and making various other imj)rovements. The
building is sixty-eight feet wide and forty-two deep.

Miscellaneous Facts. 503

MISCELLANEOUS FACTS.

Lord de la War?; after ivlioni Delaware is so named, p. 482. —
This is a sliglit error, as that Lord de la Warr died in 1618
off the Capes. The one alluded to by Watson was most probably
a descendant of his.

The First Life Insurance Company, p. 490. — Seven years later
than the Hand-in-Hand was established the second life insur-
ance company on this continent, for in 1759 was chartered by the
Proprietary The Corporation for the Kelief of Poor and Distressed
Presbyterian ]\linisters and of the Poor and Distressed Widows
and Children of Presbyterian Ministers. A prior company had
been established in Virginia in 1754 by the clergy of the Church
of England.

3Iail Tubes. — That "there is nothing new under the sun" is
partly proved by an invention exhibited in 1831 by James Spicer
at his house, north-east corner of Twelfth and Race streets. He
invented a machine to convey the United States mail with aston-
ishing rapidity. The plan was simple: a cylindrical box, con-
taining the mail, is to be placed in a pipe ten or twelve inches in
diameter laid under ground. At each section of the pipe — that
is, at the necessary stopping-places of the mail — air-pumps are to
be adapted, acting as exhausters in that part of the pipe anterior
to the box, and as forcing-pura])s posterior to it, by which means
the box will pass through the pipe with a velocity proportioned
to the force employed. This seems to be just the principle of the
lately-invented pneumatic tubes.

Iron. — Kurtz, it is supposed, established the first iron-works,
in 1726, within the bounds of Lancaster county. The Grubbs
were distinguished for their industry and enterprise ; they com-
menced operations in 1728. Henry William Stiegel managed
Elizabeth Works for many years when they were owned by Ben-
ezet & Co. of Philadelphia. The Olds were also known as in-
dustrious, punctual, and prudent ironmasters, but Robert Cole-
man became the most successful proprietor; to untiring industry
and judicious management he united the utmost probity and reg-
ularity in his dealings, and to him this county is especially in-
debted for the celebrity it has acquired from the number and
magnitude of its iron-works and the excellence of its manu-
facture.

Henry William Stiegel was the founder of Manheim ; he
erected glass-works at a considerable expense, but being of a
speculative character he became involved and his works passed
into other hands. A curious house erected by him near Sheaf-
ferstown is pointed out as " Stiegel's Folly."

504 Annals of Philadelphia.

BIRCH'S VIEWS OF PHILADELPHIA.

William Birch and his son Thomas, about 1799 and 1800,
enp:raved a series of tM-enty-nine plates of Views of Philudel-
phia. These were oblong in shape, and, though coarsely, were
accin\itcly done; they were sold by "11. Campbell & Co., Xo.
30 Chestnut street," They were mostly engraved at their resi-
dences, it is to be supj)osed, as some bore the imprint of "De-
signed and published by W. Birch, enamel painter, Springland,
near Bristol, Pa., 1808;" others, "Drawn, engraved, and ])ub-
lished by W. Birch & Son, Neshaminy Ferry" (or Bridge),
"1800." These views, of which com])lete copies are very rare,
are valuable for their accurate views of the buildings, streets, and,
costumes of the period, such as the State House, Chestnut Street
Theatre, ]\[arket-houses, Pennsylvania Hos))ital, Bank of the
United States (afterward Girard's Bank), Bank of Pennsylva-
nia, Walnut Street Jail, Bingham Mansion, Morris ^Mansion,
Waterworks, Lutheran churches, Almshouse on Spruce street,
Library, First Presbyterian Church, and views of Arch, Mar-
ket, Chestnut, and Second streets.

In 1808, W. Birch published The Country-Seat^ of the United
States of North America, with some scenes connected with them,
com})rising Lansdowne, Mendenlmll Ferry, Montibello, Sedg-
ley, Devon, Fountain Green, Springfield, Solitude, and others.

Among his other engravings may be mentioned a south-east
view of Christ Church, 1787; a ])late of four subjects — the Li-
brary, Pennsylvania Hospital, Swedes' Church, and interior of the
Market-house; the new theatre in Chestnut street, 1823, as also
the old one that was burnt in 1820, published in 1804, and en-
graved by Gilbert Fox by " aquafortus;" the Philadel])hia Bank,
Fourth and Chestnut streets; the Schuylkill Bridge, High street,
showing the skeleton timbers and as it ap])eared when covered ;
also smaller plates for the Portfolio and the Columbian Magazine.

Thomas Birch engraved a view of Fairmount for the Philadel-
phia Fire Association, and drew a view of the dam and water-
works at Fairmount, which was engraved by R. Campbell and
pul)lished by Edward Parker in 1824. It was an oblong en-
graving, 7 by 15 inches, and gave a view of the buildings, the
dam, and the locks, and an extended view of the banks of the
river, with five country-seats in view; and a steamboat very sim-
dar to those on the Schuylkill to-day, with cabin and awning to
the upper deck and two j)addle-wheels at the stern. See p. 484.

T. Birch's most imposing work was the view of Philadelphia
from Kensington, Avith the Treaty Tree in the foreground, en-
graved by Samuel Seymour in 1801. The companion to this, a
view of New York, was drawn by W. Birch, in 1803.

Another beautiful and accurate series of views of Philadelphia,
published by the late Cephas G. Childs in 1827-30, was finely en-
graved on steel, and the plates are now in the Historical Society.

INDEX.

This Index is to the whole three volumes ; it has been made with consider-
able labor. The indices for the first two volumes were undoubtedly very unsat-
isfactory, not having been even arranged alphabetically ; yet there may perhaps
be those who will not think this one full enough. To have indexed every namfl
and fact in these volumes would have required a small volume, but we believe
sufficient has been done to find every important fact or name. If not Ibund
under its especial name, it can be found by examination of the matter under the
general headings.

Abbott, Benjamin, i. 456, 490.
Abington lane, ii. 18, 101.
Academy, Friends', iii. 202.

of Germantown, ii. 40; iii. 462.

of Music, iii. 375.

Old, i. 289, 416, 484, 568; ii. 444
274.
Acrelius, i. 228-230.
Adams, Daniel, ii. 295.

John, opinion of Morris, iii. 252.

Lord, ii. 142.
Advancement and prosperity, ii. 672.
Aged persons, i. 514, 698; ii. 19.
Agnew. Gen., ii. 38, 39, 42, 58.
Aitken's Bible, first, ii. 400; iii. 480.
Alice, Black, i. 378, 388, 515, 601.
Allen family, i. 13.

Fort, ii'. 149, 180, 206.

Richard, i. 460.

William, ii. 264.
Allequippa, ii. 128, 129.
"Alliance" frigate, ii. 338-340.
Alligewi, ii. 169.

Allison, Rev. Francis, teacher, i. 288,
Almanac for ever, i. 452.

Leeds's, i. 453.

Taylor's, ii. 166.
Almshouse, i. 462 ; iii. .334.

Friends', i. 427; iii. 287, 333.
Alricks family, ii. 177, 214, 241.
Althram, Lord, ii. 2157.
Amity, the, sails, iii. 83.
Amsterdam, New, i. 3, 4, 9, 10.
Amusements, i. 177, 276. 279.
Amusing incidents, ii. 335, 417.
Anatomies, ii. 379.
Andre, Major, ii. 292.
Andrews, Gov., i. 11.

Rev. Jedediah, i. 448; iii. 306.
Andros, Gov., ii. 239; iii. 27.
Ange, John, i. 600.

668.

Animals, aged, ii. 413.

Anne, Queen, i. 379.

Annesley family, ii. 268.

Anthony's house, ii. 618.

Anthracite coal, ii. 458-46.3, 480.

Apees, ii. 484.

Apparel and dress, i. 176, 177, l£i-202,

504, 509; ii. 96, 97; iii. 122, 149.
Appendix, ii. 611.
Apprentices, i. 254.
Apprentices' Library, iii. 343.
Aquila Rose, ii. 489.
Aramingo Canal, iii. 487.
Arcade, i. 376; iii. 190.
Archives at Harrisburg about Treaty Tree,

1. 136; iii. 90.
Arch Street Bridge, i. 364; iii. 58, 189.
Aristocracy, i. 276, 286.
Arinbruster, printers, ii. 398.
Arms of the Penn family, iii. 97.

of Washington, iii. 495.
Army officers, ii. 685.

supplies to the West, i. 100.
Arnold, Gen., i. 426; ii. 2S6, 302, 327; iii.

471, 494; his marriage, 448, 449.
Articles of dress, i. 183-202.
Artillery lane, i. 416.
Asbury, Bishop, i. 469.
Ashmead family, ii. 48, 65, 66.
Assassinations, ii. 621.
Assembly, first convened, i. 16, 18, 27, .''•',
58, 94, 95, 98, 100, 101, 128, 313, 400,
401; ii. 165, 326, 481; iii. 44.

dancing, i. 283.
Assheton, Robert, mayor, i. 66, 97, 382.
Association for peace, ii. 166, 167, 203.

Battery, i. 326, 606; ii. 444.

Library, iii. 335.

regiments, iii. 168, 169.
Athenaeum, iii. 343.
Attorney-general to be paid a salary,

505

606

Index.

Attwood, W. A., mayor, i. 63, 66.

Aubrey, William, i. 117 ; iii. 119.

Auctions, i. 228, 229, 354, 419; early auc-
tioneers, iii. U.-^l^S; sales, 141-148;
opjiosition to, 146.

Au:jtiu's Ferry, i. 430.

Bache, Alexander Dallas, iii. 4.39.

descent of, iii. 439.

Mrs., i. 534.

Richard, postmaster, ii. .'!93.
Bachelors' Hall, i. 432; iii. 300.
Baker, Alexina Fisher, iii. 378.
Balconies, i. 217.
Baldwin. Matthew W., iii. 152.
Ballet, cajitain of "Otto " sloop-of- war, i. 64.
Balloons, ii. 499; iii. 155, 156.
Balls, iii. 159.

Baltimore, Lord. i. 21, 25: settles at Balti-
more, i. 4: !Markham's interview with,
iii. 39: Penn's conference with, 44: his
claim upon Penn's Province, 47; Lords
of Plantation decide against him, 50.
Banjo-music, i. 220.
Bankrupts, i. 241, 358.
Bank issues, i. 104; ii. 550.

of North America, iii. 256, 383, 384.

of Pennsylvania, iii. 381-383; rob-
bery of.' iii. 282.

lots. i". 166-170.

Meeting. Friends', i. 390.
Banks, i. 408, 475; iii. 57, 381-388.
Baptisterion, i. 430; ii. 476; iii. 290.
Bai)tipts, ii. 73, 258 ; Barbadoes store, i.

447: churches, iii. 311.
Bar, Philadelphia, i. 315-322; iii. 164-166.
Baring, Alexander, iii. 273.
Barnes, Rev. Albert, iii. 307.
Barracks, British, i. 101, 415; iii. 273.
Barry, Com., iii. 338.
Bartram. John, i. 548; iii. 441.

William, i. 551.
Bathsheba's Bath and Bower, i. 411, 490.
Bath, floating, on the Delaware, iii. 489.
Bathtown, i. 490.

Battery, i. 325, 329 : erected in 1748, iii. 169.
Battle"of Bnmdywine, ii. 83, 283, 295, 307.

of Germantown, ii. 38, 47-50, 68, 71,
554.

of the Kegs, ii. .336.
Baynton, George, ii. 549.
Bears, ii. 434-436.
Beasts and birds of prey, i. 37, 41, 46, 94,

96 ; ii. 43.3-436. 535.
Bcbberstown or Beggarstown.ii. 23: iii. 461.
Beck, Paul, owns Sven's house, i. 149.
Bedminster, ii. 477.

Beek's Hollow, i. 38, 102, 407 ; iii. 231.
Bees, ii. 41 1.

Beissel, musician, ii. Ill, 258.
Bell, Robert, ])ublisher, ii. 400; petition

against himself, iii. 141, 142.
Bell, Thomas F., book-auctioneer, iii. 143.

Toui, the infamous, i. 552.

town, hung, i. 61.
Bell Tavern, iii. 365.
Belles and dames of fashion, i. 284.
Bells, Christ Church, i. 384; iii. 201.

Bells, State-House, i. 398, 399.

Belmont, iii. 494.

Benezet, Anthony, i. 371, 609; ii, 202: iii,

189.
Bennet's Hixtory of New England, ii. 282.
Bensell family, ii. 23, 68.
Berg, Rcy. Joseph, iii. 314.
Bethlehem and Easton, ii. 149, 164, 16'',

191, 206.
Bettering-house, i. 103.
Beversrede, Fort, iii. 20.
Bible, Aitken's first, ii. 400; iii. 480.
German, ii. 47.

Thomson's translation, iii. 443.
Biddle, Capt., death, ii. 297.
Charles, i. 401 ; iii. 222.
Nicholas, iii. 228, 387.
Biles. William, i. 96; iii. 70.
Billiard-playing, iii. 155.
Bingham and mansion, i. 194, 414; iii.
270, 274. 275.
James, freeman, i. 59.
Biorck, Rev. Eric, ii, 233.
Birch's ViewH, iii. 504.
Birge, Samuel, ii. 477.
Blabon, G. W. <fe Co., iii. 127.
Blackbeard, i. 271, 528 : ii. 9, .32, 216-224.
Black Bear Tavern, iii. 367.
Black-horse alley, i. 162.
Black Maria, iii. 181.
Blaekmore. Capt. G., ii. 46.
Blacksmiths, i. 228, 242, 435; iii. 141.
Blackwell, John, Gov., iii. 57.
Blake's music-store, iii. 151.
Block-houses, i. 151; ii. 239, 240, 245.
Blood's Dispatch, iii. 477.
Bloody election of '42, ii. 490.
Blue Anchor Inn, i. 38, 51, 96, 130, 336,

338. 341; iii. 175.
Blue Bell, retreat to, ii. 59.
Blue-house pond, i. 496.

Tavern, i. 51,336.
Blue-stocking ladies, ii. 419.
Boardman, Rev. Henry A., iii. 310.
Boarding-schools, i. 177.
Board of Trade, i, 24, 80, 88, 380 ; ii. 2S1 ;

iii. 89, 90.
Board-yards, i. 229.
Boatswain and Call Tavern, i. 51.
Boehm, Rev. John Philip, i. 452; iii. 314.
Bogle, Robert, waiter, iii. 366.
Bolton's store at Ujiper Ferry, iii. 492.
Bookbinding, ii. 401.
Books, i. 244, 245, 287 ; ii. 396.

on early history, i. 89-92.
Booth, Junius Brutus, iii. 377
Boots, i. 195,201: ii. 612.
Boquet. Col., ii. 131, 173.
Bordentown, ii. 297.
Borers, legislative, ii. 119.
Botany, i. 54S : ii. 373.
Botta the historian on Robert Morris, iii.

256.
Boudinot, Elias, iii. 82.
Boyd, Col., ii. 59.

Braddock, Gen., ii. 14, 118, 127, 141; iii. 466.
Braddock's defeat, i. 100, ,329, 602; ii. 127.
Bradford, Andrew, i. 546; ii. 395; iii.
440, 441.

Index.

507

Bradford & Inskeep, iii. 349.
Thomas, ii. 2G9.

William, coffee-house, i. 393; printer,
357, 543 ; ii. 395, 397 ; iii. 54, 57, 203,
440 ; tried for sedition, 59.
William, attorney-general, i. 320.
family, i. 543 ; iii. 439.
Brainerd, Hev., ii. 191.
Branchtown, ii. 48-50.
Brandywine, battle of, ii. 83, 84, 283, 295,
307.
Creek, ii. 81.
Indians, ii. 173.
Brant the Mohawk, ii. 126, 20.3, 205.
Brantley, Uev. F. W., iii. 311.
Bread weighed, i. 59.
Brew- and malt-houses, i. 50, 72, 97, 339 ;

iii. 52, 176, 177.
Brickell, John, ii. 161.
Bridges, first, i. 38; over Walnut and Sec-
ond, i. 61, 65, 97; over Schuylkill at
Market street, 99, 156, 216, 298, 299,
336, 340, 364, 371, 374, 479; ii. 446,475;
iii. 58, 189; floating, 491.
Brienne, medallions of Washington and La

Fayette, iii. 498.
Brimstone rain, i. 104: ii. 415.
British army, i. 392, 399, 479; ii. 610; iii.
449.
and Germantown, ii. 36, 39, 50, 51, 54,

56, 62, 68, 278, 282-285, 324.
barracks, i. 415; ii. 168; iii. 273.
duties and tea act, ii. 271-273.
officers, ii. 289, 323, 333.
provost prison, ii. 300.
Brittan, Mary, iii. 436.
Broadway, Mary, i. 598.
Broglie, Prince de, visit to Robert Morris,

iii. 261.
Brokers and pawns, i. 239.
Brooks, Francis, epitaph, i. 127.
Broom corn, introduced by Franklin, iii.

439.
Brown, Billy, i. 602; ii. 141.

H. Arinitt, oration at Burlington an-
niversary, iii. 80-83.
John, i. 156, 157, 172.

as a pirate, ii. 224.
Dr. John Michael, iii. 318.
Brownsville, ii. 144, 145.
Bruhman, Lieut., i. 560.
Buckley, Anthony M, i. 48.
Bucks county, i. 56, 100; ii. 95-101, 330,

519.
Buck Tail company, i. 330.
Budd, Thomas, i. 336, 337, 343, 543; ii.
229 ; his book on Pennsylvania, iii.
63.
Thomas, Long Row, i. 130, 340 344.
B.uffington, Richard, i, 512, 599.
Bull-baiting, i. 278.
Buoys in the Delaware, ii. 470.
Burd, Edward, prothonotary's oflSce, i.
401; iii. 222.
Col., ii. 145, 149.
Burdeau, Mrs., boarding-school, i. 166.
Burlington, early history, i. 10, 40, 54; ii.

245, 296, 310-315, 472; iii. 80.
Burned alive, i. 309.

Bush family, ii. 71.

Bushhill, i. 264, 487; ii. 479: iii. 396, 493.
Business, i. 224, 226, 238, 240-242, 256.
" Busybody," Franklin's, ii. 395.
Butler, William, i. 577 ; ii. 139.

Col. Z. and John, ii. 124, 202.
Buttonwood Church, i. 448.
Byberry, ii. 75-78, 160, 195, 205.
Byllinge, Edward, i. 9, 87; iii. 29.

Cable lane, iii. 51, 499.

Cabot, John and Sebastian, i. 1.

Cadwalader, Capt., i.411; ii. 313.

Maj.-Gen. George, iii. 175.
Calamities of physicians, ii. 387.
Callowhill street market laid out, i. 482.
Camac's lane, iii. 358.
Camac, Turner, i. 477.
Camden, N. J., ii. 628.
Campanius and Holm, i. 4, 8 ; ii. 228 ; iii. 79.
Campbell, Capt., killed, i. 426.
Campbell's Wyomitig, ii. 126.
Camp fever, ii. 301, 328.
Campington, bought by Hartsfielder, i. 11,

477.
Camptown, iii. 273.
Canals, railroads, etc., i. 255; ii. 80, 465-

469, 475 ; Aramingo, iii. 487.
Candidates for office, i. 238.
Candles lit in the Assembly, i. 100.
Canes, i. 198.
Cape May, i. 7.

Henlopen (Hinlopen), i. 7, 97.
Cards, i. 285.
Caricatures, i. 178.

Carlisle, i. 101 ; ii. 122, 161, 184, 186.
Carpenter, Joshua, i. 93, 376.

mansion, i. 376; iii. 191.
to keep an ordinary, i. 93.
Samuel, i. 33; selling his property,
houses, and wharves, 39, 52, 56, 88,
93, 104, 128; sells Slate-house, 164,
167, 394, 520.
Samuel (second), iii. 57.
Carpenters' Hall, i. 419; ii.l72; iii. 278.
Carpets, i. 205, 206 ; ii. 550 ; manufacture

of, iii. 125.
Carr, Col., garden, i. 548.
Carriages and vehicles, i. 208; ii. 33, 65.
Carter, William, mayor, i. 66; iii. 500.
Carteret, Sir George, obtains New Jersey,

i. 9.
Cartlidge, Edmund, ii. 172.
Carts and drays, i. 63.
Castell's Book of Discovery, ii. 474.
Castle, the, iii. 356.
Cat and Rabbit, i. 48, 49.
Caves, i. 14, 18, 36, 48, 74, 171, 303, 304;

ii. IS; iii. 43, 54, 120.
Cemeteries, i. 224, 530, 571 ; iii. 136-140.
Census, ii. 551.
Centre Square, i. 391 ; iii. 389.

execution-ground, i. 437.
Chains across streets, iii. 309.
Chalybeate spring, ii. 427.
Chancellor, Capt. William, i. 61, 101,

440; ii. 482; iii. 303.

508

Index.

Chancery lane, i. 316.
Chandler, Widow, i. 63.
Changes and improvements, i. 211, 240;
ii. 587.

in prices of diet, i. 260.

in residfnces, i. 224, 258, 321.

in streets and places, i. 230.
Chapman, Judge, ii. 123.
Charity schools, iii. 278.
Chart of Delaware Bay, ii. 474.
Charter for Philadelphia, i. 303, 313; ii.

688; iii. 33, 34, 45, 67.
Cheese-cake House, i. 493.
Cherry Garden, i. 494.
Chester, i. 10, 13, 14,16,86, 127,129, 142;
ii. 92-95, 234, 250 : named by Penn,
iii. 42 ; first Legislature, iii. 44, 104.

countv, i. 100, 288; ii. 80-92, 161.
Chestnut ilill, ii. 17.
Chestnut street, i. 230, 486.
Bridge, i. 371.
Theatre, iii. 369.
Chevalier de Luzerne, i. 377.
Chew family and house, ii. 37, 38, 46, 49,
50. 52, 53, 55, 209 ; iii. 166.

Judge, i. 318.
Childhood and its joys, i. 603.
Chimney-sweeps, public, i. 161.
Choat, Isaac, ii. 162.
Chocolate and coffee, i. 253.
Cholera and Bank lots, i. 168.
Chovet, Dr. ii. 380.

Christ Church, i. 39, 50, 103, 378, 435, 582 ;
ii. 444; iii. 120, 193-202 ; bust of George
IL, iii. 197.
Christie, William, Unitarian preacher, iii.

327.
Christina, queen of Sweden, and Christi-
ana, ii. 228, 230, 234, 250.
Christmas, i. 281.

Churches, i. 71, 76, 9.3, 98, 41.3, 447, 481;
ii. 25, 26, 121, 233, 404-408, 444, 498;
iii. 306-328.
Churchman, John, i. 58, 325, 328; ii. 165.
Church party, i. 114, 120, 380.

family, i. 495; history, iii. 328.
Cigar-dealers to have licenses, i. 98.
Circuses in Philadelphia, iii. 371.
City charter, ii. 488.

Dancing Assembly, i. 276, 283.

Hall, i. 65,66; iii. 217.

hills, i. 222.

lots, i. 34, 52, 259, 263, 361.

of Brotherly Love, i. 14, 19.

Tavern, iii. 349.

Troop, i. 426 ; iii. 169, 295, 401.
Clarke Hall, i. 164, 374; iii. 190.
Clarkson, Matthew, m.ayor, ii. 626.

Thomas, and Treaty Tree. i. 135, 137.
Clay, Rev. Dr., i. 411 ; ii. 229, 232.
Claypoole family, i. 96, 558, 598 ; iii. 442.

John, sheriff, i. 95; James, iii, 84, 94.
Claypoole's Daily Advertiser, ii. 397.
Clayton, Rev., i. 378.
Clearances, i. 99.
Clenachan, Rev., i. 455.
Clergy, i. 334, 381, 538.

allowed to marry, i. 98.
Clifton's house and round lamp, i. 102.

Clifton's or Drinker's allev, i. 102.
Climate of Philadelphia,"ii. 347-369, 611,

614.
Cliveden, seat of Chew family, iii. 166.
" Cloaths" for winter and summer, i. 93.
Clocks and watches, i. 194, 204, 218; of

Pennsylvania Historical Society, iii. 122.
Clothes, second-hand, i. 240.
Cloven foot discovered, i. 504.
Clover and plaster of Paris, ii. 66, 81, 98,

104, 485.
Coaches, ii. 33, 65.
Coal, anthracite, ii. 409, 458-463, 480, 517 ;

iii. 492.
Coaquannock, i. 10, 35.
Coates, i. 439, 440, 449, 452, 481, 482.
burying-ground, i. 480; iii. 388,
family-cave, i. 172.
Coats, George, i. 98.
Cobb, Gen., ii. 61.
Cock-fighting, i. 278, 279.
Coffee as a beverage, i. 179.
Coffee-houses, i. 39. 58, 102, 393.
Cohocksink, i. 40, 139, 140, 272, 477, 479.
Cohoquinoque, i. 40.
Colden, Gov., i. 537.
Coleman, Judge, i. 444.
Rebecca, i. 53, 600.
Robert, ii. 148.
William, ii. 148.
Collectors, travelling mercantile, ii. 558. i
Colleges, i. 288, 294.
Collin, Rev. Dr., i. 147.
Colonial history, i. 6-34; iii. 17-76.
Colonial statistics, ii. 409.
Colonial times, ii. 574.
Colonists, i. 12-14, 17, 32, 517.
Commerce, i. 71, 74, 88, 99, 230 ; iii. 89, 237.
Commissioners, the five, iii. 56.
Committees of the war, ii. 326.
Conclusion, ii. 508.
Conestoga, ii. 108, 148, 167, 169, 172, 178,

183, 194, 260.
Congress, i. 400, 419, 421; ii. 331, 573,
610; iii. 214.
First Continental, iii. 279.
Congress Hall, iii. 217.
Conjurers, i. 267, 270; ii. 32, 36, 92.
Connecticut claims, ii. 123.
Consolidation of the city, ii. 604; iii. 412,

481.
Constables and beadles, i. 59, 60, 93, 96,

211.
" Constitution" frigate, figure-head, iii.

444.
Continental money, ii. 298, 442, 551.
Convicts imported, ii. 260, 267.
Conyngham, David H., i. 135; iii. 442.

Redmond, i. 101.
Cook family, i. 136, 300, 304.
Cookery in old times, i. 179.
Cooper, Peter, his locomotive, iii. 486
Cornbury, Lord, i. 50, 164, 380.
Cornwallis, ii. 283, 332.
Costumes, i. 184, 190, 458, 504, 510.
Cotton goods, i. 259.
Counterfeit monev, i. 302.
Country-seats, i. 450, 487,494; ii. 33, 462,

477-480; iii. 493-495.

Index.

509

Country stores, large, ii. 67.
Court-house, i. 62, 66, 96, 350-356 ; iii. 177.
Courts and trials, i. 81, 94, 97, 298, 353 ;

iii. 164-166.
Courts in Berks county, ii. 98.

in Chester county, ii. 90.

in Uermantown, ii. 28-31.

in Upland, ii. 234.
Cowherd and cows, i. 59 ; ii. 421.
Coxe, Col., elopes with Sarah Bckley, i. 50.

Tench, i. 50.
Crawford, Rev. Samuel W., iii. 276.
Crazy Norah, iii. 289, 452.
Credit system, ii. 686.
Crellius, Hicjh Dutch Journal, ii. 398.
Cresheim, ii. 18.
Crimes and trials, i. 299, 305, 307, 313.

and punishments, i. 103.
Criminal intercourse, i. 304.
Cromwell and Crowell, ii. 220, 334; iii. 13.
Crooked Billet Tavern and wharf, i. 48, 170,

464; town, ii. 99; store, 120 ; iii. 348.
Cross Keys Inn, i. 409, 476 ; iii. 346-347,

351.
Crown street, i. 444, 486, 511.
Cruikshank, Joseph, i. 435, 492.
Cumberland county, i. 100.
Cunningham, Capt., ii. 300-302.
Curiosities and discoveries, i. 344, 377, 441,

562; ii. 422-427.
Cushing, Caleb, and Miss Peale, iii. 95.
Custom-houses, i. 385, 474; iii. 380.
Customs, collector of, i. 305 ; ii. 549 ; iii. 163.

value of, i. 78.
Cutbush, Edward, carver, i. 575.
Cuthbert, Anthony, iii. 389.

Dalley, John, post-surveyor, ii. 392.

Dances and dancing, i. 276, 283 ; ii. 483.

Dancing-masters, early, iii. 154, 159.

Dark liay, ii. 353.

Darlington, Dr. William, iii. 441.

Darrach, Lydia, i. 411; ii. 327, 385; iii.
265.

David, Rev. Hugh, i. 119, 122.

Dawson, John, ii. 99.

W., Guide to Psalmody, ii. 418.

Deal, Peter, i. 450.

Deaths, i. 99, 224, 406.

De Beuneville, Dr. G., ii. 49.

Declaration of Independence, i. 398, 400,
402, 419, 535; ii. 293, 309; iii. 223, 226,
253.

Deer, ii. 35, 83, 113, 252.

Defence, colonial, i. 323.

De Grasse's fleet, iii. 329.

De la Noe, French minister, i. 43; iii. 437.

Delany, Sharp, i. 474; ii. 549.

Delap, book-auctioneer, iii. 145.

Delarue, actor, iii. 377, 378.

Delaware River, i. 7, 9, 97, 280; ii. 470-
474, 482. 609 ; visited by Hudson, iii. 1 7 ;
settlements by the Dutch on, 17-20 ; Mey
sent out by the Dutch East India Com-
panies, 17, 18 ; Godyn's colony at Capo
May Landing, 18; Fort Oplandt built,
19; De Vries' colony destroyed by the

Indians, 19 ; visited by the English in
1632, 19 ; settlements on, by the Swedes,
20-23; English take possession of, 24;
Dutch again become masters of, 27 ; Up-
land county defined. 27; frozen over,
473, 474.

Delaware, discovery of the, i. 3 ; iii. 17.
origin of name, i. 7 ; iii. 79.
Fire Company, iii. 425.

Dennison, Michael, i. 467.
Col. Nathan, ii. 124.

Denny, Gov. William, ii. 275.

Dentists, i. 179.

Devil-possessed, i. 270.

De Vries' first expedition, iii. 19.

Dials on houses, i. 218.

Dibley's tavern, i. 465.

Dickinsons, i. 60, 66, 80, 88, 97, 319, 377,
428, 477, 499, 519 ; ii. 171, 264; iii. 437

Diet, changes in prices of, i. 260.

Dinderdonk Islands, ii. 173.

Dinners, public, i. 61.
private, i. 174.

Directories, i. 258; ii. 499; iii. 152, 153.

Discoverers, i. 1-4.

Diseases, i. 261 ; iii. 475.

Distilleries, i. 238.

Distrusted citizens, ii. 284.

Doans of Bucks county, ii. 96, 330 ; iii. 472.

Dobson, Thomas, printer, ii. 400.

Dock Creek, i. 36, 39, 41, 103, 132, 336,
372, 490; iii. 301.

Dock street, iii. 177.

Doctor John, i. 101 ; ii. 122, 161.

Dolby, William, ii. 53.

Domestic manufactures encouraged, ii. 272.

Donegal, ii. 167.

Dorsey House, i. 445.

Dove, R. J., teacher, i. 178, 561, 570 ; iii. 161.

Doyle's Inn in Letitia court, i. 158, 162;
iii. 117.

Drawbridge and Dock Creek, i. 336.

Dress and apparel, i. 604, 610; iii. 124.

Drew, John, actor, iii. 377.

Drinker, John or Edward, i. 133, 513. 601.
House, i. 44, 133, 166, 466; iii. 104.

Drummond, Capt., ii. 220.

Dubois, Abraham, ii. 113.

Duche, Rev. Jacob, i. 264, 381, 413, 596;
iii. 195, 266-268, 279, 281.
pottery, i. 446.

Ducking-stool, i. 359.

Duck-pond, i. 433 ; iii. 301.

Duels, i. 333 ; iii. 174.

Duffield, Edward, i. 140, 404, 451, 533, 574 ;
mill, ii. 73.

Duke of York, i. 9, 11, 86; iii. 27.

Dunbar arrives with wounded, i. 100,

Duncan's Island, ii. 191.

Dund.as, elm and house, iii. 403, 404.

Dunkards or Tunkards, ii. 23,42, 60, 111,
258; iii. 461.

Dunk's Ferry, i. 516.

Dunlap's His/ori/ of New York, ii. 8.
Col. John, iii. 404.
Pe}insi//raiiia I'tuket, ii. 397.

Duponceau, P. S., i. 16, 424, 492; ii. 2, 320,
iii. 168, 283.

Du Quesne, Fort, ii. 127, 131, 144, 173.

510

Index.

Dn Pimitiere. i. Ill, 208, 562.
Dutch, i. ?,, 6-y, 50. f)7, 86, 91 ; ii. 101, 229,
27S; iii. 17-25.

and Swedes, conflict, iii. 22.

first fort on Delaware, i. -1; iii. 19.

Reformed, ii. 21.

riot iinrl mobs, ii. 496.

the first settlers, i. 6, 86; iii. 22.
Duval's place, ii. 53.
Dwellings in Philadelphia, iii. 236.
Dyhinder, Rev., i. 452; iii. 109.
Dyspepsia, i. 251, 256.

Eaglcsfield or Egglesfield, iii. 291.
Earl of Albion's lands, ii. 498.
Early houses, iii. 52.

history of city, i. 89.

punishments, iii. 165.

settlements in New Jersey, i. 87.

titles to Lower Counties, i. 85-87.
Earthquakes, ii. 413.
Easton, ii. 149.
Eccentric persons, i. 551.
Eckley, Sarah, and Col. Coxe, i. 50.
Education, i. 2Sfi : ii. 607; iii. 163.
Edwards. Rev. M., i. 431, 448, 562.
Egg Harbor, ii. 611.
Elbow lane or Bank alley, i. 103.
Elder. Rev. .John, i. 117," 119, 121.
Eldrington, Miss JIary, i. 599.
Elections, i. 351, 537: ii. 490 : iii. 216.
Electrical experiments of Franklin, iii. 438.
Elephants drowned in Delaware, iii. 374.
Elfreth, .Tereniinh, i. 337; iii. 176.
Elliott, Enoch Wray, i. 237.
Elsinboro', ii. 253.
Emigrants to Pennsylvania, ii. 619.
Emlen's tan-vard and haunted house, i. 437.
English rulers, i. 81, 95, 244.

presumptinns, i. 175.
Entry of British army, ii. 282.
Environs of Philadelphia, ii. 621.
Ephrata, ii. 24, 43, 56, 110, 258,
Epidemic of 1746, iii. 475.
Episcopacy, i. 459.

Episcojialian Academy, i. 486; iii. 325.
Episcopalians, i. 457, 458; ii. 26.
Equipage, i. 203, 207.
Essex llouse, residence of Robert AVade,

i. 127.
Jt^i-iiiiijeline, extracts from, iii. 290.
Evans, Evan. iii. 194.

Gov. John, i. 25; flogs a constable,
i. 96; 115, 138; ii. 273, 481; iii,
70-72.

Cadwallader, and brothers, ii. 78.

Ganlen, iii. 400.

Lewis, journey to Ontario, ii. 561.

Oliver, steam.ii. 449, 454; iii. 152,484.

Peter, challenges Phillips, i. 334.
Evelyn's Memnlrn, ii. 281.
Evet", John, i. 598.

Ewer, Robert, buys Doyle's Inn, i. 162.
E.\change, the, i. 348.
Executions, ii. i*)^ ; first in Philadelphia,
iii. 61 ; various places for the county,
iii. 164.

F.
Fabricius, Rev. .Jacob, ii. 233.
J'actions agninst Penn, i. 78-80, 521.
" Factor." ship, arrives, i. 13.
Fagan, Nicholas, iii. 323.
Fahncstock, Dr., ii. 258.
Fairhill, i. 493 ; iii. 399.
Fairman, Thomas, mansion, i. 10, 134, 138,
140, 477; ii. 72, 247: iii. 40; re-
moves to Tacony, i. 141.
Robert, letter to jViekinson, i. 139, 477.
Fairmount and Park, i. 78, 488; number

of trees in. iii. 397, 398.
Fairs, i. 67, 364.
Faith in Christ, i. 58.
Falkner, Daniel, ii. 47.
Falls of Schuylkill Mills, ii. 242, 248.

in carlv times, iii. 293.
Fanning. Col. Edmund, ii" 295, 341.

Lieuts. J. and S., ii. 296.

Nathaniel and Edmund, ii. 341.
Fans in old times, i. 191.
Farmar, Jasper, ii. 178.
Farming, ii. 66, 81, 97.
Farthings, pewter and lead, i. 57.
Fashions, change of, i. 195, 190; iii. 124.
Fawcett and Braddock, ii. 141.
Febrile disease, ii. 370.
Federal Procession, ii. 341-345 ; tavern-
sign, iii. 350.
Fell, .Judge, uses a grate, ii. 458.
Fencing, ii. 483.

Fenwick, John, settles Salem, i. 87.
Fenwick's Island, or Hinlopen, i. 87.
Feree family, ii. 112.
Ferguson, Mrs., i. 376: ii. 108.
Fermer, Lady .T.. marries Thos. Penn.i. 123.
Ferrv, Schuvlkill, i. 56, 61 : ii. 475.

old, i. 429.
Fifty years ago, iii. 390.
Fire Association formed, iii. 411.

companies, ante-revolutionary, iii. 408.
early disputes, iii. 418, 419.
Fireflies, ii. 411.

Fire insurance companies, iii. 410.
Fire, regulations in ease of, iii. 64.
Fires and fire-engines, i. 496 : iii. 405-430.
Fires, early precautions against, iii. 405.

great, i. 59: ii. 607; iii. 426.
Fireworks, i. 102, 104 : ii. 494.
First-born persons, i. 511.
First settlers, i. 34-36, 53, 73, 74.
Fish and fishing, i. 17, 45, 46, 69, 260, 280,

342, 527; iii. 291-299.
Fishbourne, AVilliam, mavor, i. 61, 66, 73,
137, 17.3, 505.

great fire, i. 497: iii. 406.

narrative of Philadelphia events, i
7.3-77, 137.
Fisher. W., mayor, i. 66.

family, i. 485.
Fitch, Jo"hn, and family, i. 583; ii. 446

450, 602: iii. 415.
Fitz. ('apt., ii. 83, 84, 330.
Flag, first, ii. 333.

naval, of Revolution, i. 41 ; ii. 615.

jiresented to governor, i. 61.
Flagstaff on Society Hill, i. 61, 98.

Index.

511

Fletcher, Gov. Benjamin, iii. 60.

Flics and martins, ii. 411.

Floating bridges, iii. 491.

Floods, i. 347; iii. 492.
and ebbs, ii. .364-368,

Flour, i. 261 ; ii. 482.

Flourtown, ii. 56, 60.

Flower, Henry, i. 54.

Flowers, vegetables, and fruits, i. 223.

Food, ciianges in prices of, i. 260, 263.

Forbes, Gen., i. 165, 401; ii. 144.

Fords of London, i. 108 ; iii. 68.

Fornication and adultery, i. 304, 306.

Forrest, Col., i. 104, 268; ii. 32, 34, 326.
Edwin, and Delarue, iii. 378; and
Macready^ 375.

Fort Allen, ii. 149, 180, 206, 553.

Fort at Christiana, i. 93; iii. 20.

Ca.simir, i. 8 ; erected by Stuyvesant,
iii. 22 ; captured by Rysingh, 23 ;
capitulates to the English, 24.
Manaiung, iii. 21.
Nassau, i. 6 ; iii. 18, 20.
Rittenhouse, iii. 93.
St. David, i. 431 ; iii. 292.
AVilson, i. 104, 425; iii. 286.

Forts on the frontiers, ii. 207.

Fouquet's Garden and Inn, i. 235 ; iii. 400.

Fox, George, i. 355, 507; ii. 430.
Robert, manager, iii. 373-375.

Foxes and hunting, i. 277; iii. 156-159.

Frail women, i. 257, 305.

Frame of Laws, i. 16, 71, 93, 311.

Francis, Tench, ii. 344.

Franconia and Towamensing, ii. 60.

Frankford, i. 478 ; ii. 67, 72-74, 315, 322.

Frankford Arsenal, iii. 304.

Frankfort Company, ii. 17, 18; iii. 457.

Franklin, Dr. Benjamin; bridge-viewer, i.
99; agent in Great Britain, 101 ; author
of Historical Review, 124 ; his loyalty,
173; his wardrobe, 191; invents open
stove, 206 ; appointed colonel, 324 ;
raises 1200 soldiers, 327; plants the
willow, 408; first visit to the city, 434;
projects the library, 462 ; organizes a fire
company, 497 ; facts in his life, 532-537 ;
negotiates with the Paxton Boys, ii. 168 ;
trustee of the Charitable Scheme, 257 ;
the Stamp Act, 269 ; counsels prudence,
270 ; his regiment escorts Gov. Denny,
276 ; repeal of Stamp Act, 280 ; rati-
fies treaty of peace, 332 ; Song on the
Trades, 345; postmaster-general, 393;
his newspaper and almanac, 394; cor-
responds with Fitch, 450 ; recommends
the Wissahickon for the water-supply,
457 ; first plants broom corn, 487 ; Leath-
ern Apron Club, 495 ; passes through
Burlington, N. J., iii. 82; his ward-
robe, 121 : founder of the first fire com-
pany, 408 ; humorous account of an ac-
cident to himself, 437; his electrical ex-
periments, 438 ; enters into partnership
with Meredith, 440 ; judge of Common
Pleas, 448; his burial-place, 439; be-
queaths his cane to Washington, 497.

Franklin, Mrs., account of her house, i.
206, 536; iii. 183.

Franklin, Maj. Roswell, ii. 127.
Franklin place, iii. 183.

Square, iii. 231, 329; powder-houso

in, 303, 304.
William, Gov., Historical Bevieio of
Pennsyloatiia, i. 124, 535.
Fraudulent issues of stock, iii. 384, 385.
Preame, Mrs. Margaret, arrives, i. 123.
Free-and-easy, first, iii. 119.
Free Quakers, iii. 435, 436.

Society of Traders, ii. 262; iii. 33;
first formed, i. 12, 484.
Free trade and tariff, i. 247.
French and the war, i. 18, 26, 43, 95,
98, 179, 180, 327, 377, 555; ii. 112,
118, 132, 144, 164, 182, 185, 256,
328.
ambassador's ball, i. 104.
emigrants, i. 43, 93, 555; ii. 112.
neutrals, i. 559: iii. 442.
princes, i. 555 ; ii. 132.
Revolution, influence of, i. 179.
spoliation claims, iii. 174.
Friends, early settlements, i. 10, 11 ; the
first settlers in Philadelphia, 18; op-
posed to military, 25 ; Centre Square
Meeting, 38 ; first meet in private houses,
49; cause of Friends' emigration, 54;
stop building of markets, 66 ; early dis-
couragements, 74; losing power, 77;
embarrassed by civil government, 81 ;
books, 90; slanders on, 120; Shacka-
maxon Meeting, 140; Tacony Meeting,
141 ; Penn Association, 160 ; weddings,
178; wagon bonnet, 188; academy, 282,
287, 290; warlike, 324; some against
war, 328; meeting-house at Second
street, 350, 355 ; rule opposed, 380 ;
" Bank " Meeting, 390 ; almshouse, 427,
and iii. 287, 333 ; Arch Street Meeting, i.
449 ; interchanges of brotherly love, 457 ;
general history of, 499-511 ; Friends in
Germantown, ii. 23 ; Birmingham Meet-
ing, 87 ; Quekels, the Indian name, 169 ;
pacific policy with Indians, 164-166;
oppose the Paxton Boys, 169; associa-.
tion for peace, 206, 207 ; encouraging
pirates, 225 ; newcomers and trespassers,
245 ; fraternize with the Germans, 256 ;
against slavery, 262; conduct to the
British, 286; Jacob Ritter, 300; join
the army, 3U7; Mrs. Mary Morris, 310;
account of Revolutionarj' incidents, 316;
shocked by dancing, 483 ; various meet-
ing-houses, iii. 202 ; Arch Street Meet-
ing, 311 ; marriage records, 434; in
America, 431.
Fries, John, iii. 468.
Frontier Indians and wars, ii. 176-196, 206.

towns, ii. 147-150, 164, 207.
Fruits, vegetables, and flowers, i. 223.
Fullerton, Alexander, i. 412.
Fulton, Robert, ii. 121, 450, 452, 468; iii.

483.
Funerals and funeral pomp, ii. 489, 616;

iii. 140.
Furness, Rev. William IL, iii. 327.
Furniture and equipage, i. 203, 355; ii.
007.

512

Index.

Gage, Gen., entertainment to, i. 65.
Gallowav, Joseph, i. 319, 561; ii. 99, 397;

iii. 260.
Gambling, i. 101.
Game, i. 17, 41, 69, 312.
Gardens, i. 223, 235, 375, 397, 408, 493,

548 ; iii. 155, 390, 391, 400, 403.
Garden street, iii. 499.
Gas, watchmen, etc., iii. 130.
Gaskill, Richard Penn, i. 126.
Gates, Gen., Letters of Robert Morris, iii.

252, 253.
Gazettes, ii. 36, 337, 394-401.
Geese, very aged, ii. 414.
Gems and precious stones, ii. 427.
Gentlemen's clothing, i. 186.
George Inn, i. 466; iii. 349,350.
Gerard, Mons., French ambassador, i. 377.
German Reformed, i. 452, 454; ii. 24; iii.

314.
German schools, ii. 27.
Germans, i. 12; settle at Germantown, 19,
49 ; election riots, 99, 325 ; ii. 19, 63, 109,
254-258, 266, 512.
Germantown, i. 44, 72, 267, 275, 477; ii.
16-72, 612, 605, 617.

Academy, ii. 27 ; iii. 462, 463.

battle of, ii. 37, 47-50, 55.

courts, ii. 28.

laid out by Pastorius, iii. 457.

market, ii. 27.

petition from corporation of, iii. 66.
Ghosts, i. 272, 437; ii. 32.
Gibbs, lottery-man, crosses on ice, iii. 473.
Gibbs's house, i. 444; iii. 304.
Gibson J., mayor, i. 66.
Gideon the trumpeter, ii. 615; iii. 169.
Gilbert family, captives, ii. 150, 195-205.
Gillingham, Giles, and Yeamans, ii. 73.

Gilpin, , i. 485.

Girard avenue, iii. 311.
Girard, Stephen, i. 168, 411; iii. 473, 480.
Girls, i. 2S9.
Glass, window, i. 217.
Gloucester Fox-hunting Club, iii. 156.
Godard, E., aeronaut, iii. 155, 156.
Goddard, William, publisher, ii. 397.
Godfrey, Thomas, i. 386, 528; ii. 474; his
grave, i. 141.

Jr., i. 531.
Godyn's settlement .at Cape May, iii. 19.
GofJrth alley, iii. 500.
Gold-sweating, ii. 419.
Goodson, John, and Bank lots, i. 167.
Gookin, Gov., i. 26, 31; superseded, 97;

ii. 273; iii. 73-75.
Gordon, Gov., succeeds Keith, i. 31, 143,
207, 381, 526; ii. 274; iii. 78.

Hon. Cosmo, ii. 286.
Gordon's Jliiitori/ of I'enntylvania, i. 136.
Government, I'ennsvlvania and United
States, ii. 40, 41, 485.

of Pennsylvania, removal, ii. 116, 119.
Governors, i."92, 97, 108, 115,122,124,143,

312, 323, 351, 375, 389; ii. 273-277.
Governor's Woods, i. 231.
Grace's house, i. 462; iii. 337.

Graeme, Dr., and his park, i. 376; ii. 108

375; iii. 192.
Grandeur, i. 249.
Grapes and vineyards,' i. 18, 46, 223; ii,

430-434.
Grass and clover cultivation, ii. 485.
Gravestones, old, ii. 421, 479.
Graveyards, i. 104.
Gray's, Col., powder-horn, ii. 45.

Garden and Ferry, i. 494; forts, iii.
172; breastworks, iii. 492.
Graydon, i. 92, 165, 220, 230, 375, 418,

465, 468.
Greenleaf, James, iii. 272.
Green Tree pump, iii. 96.
Greenwich against tea act, ii. 273.
Griffiths, Haonah, i. 559.

Thomas, mayor, i. 66.
Grindstones rolled into the river, i. 103.
Griscom College, i. 155, 289.
Griscom's first brick house, i. 476.
Grist-mill, first, ii. 27, 61, 73, 98.
Growden, Grace, i. 522.

Lawrence, death of, iii. 76.
Grubb, Emmanuel, first-born, i. 512, 599.
Guest, Judge, i. 78.

Guest's house, the Blue Anchor, i. 130-133.
Gunner's Creek, i. 140.
Gurney, H., and British army, ii. 284.
Gustafson, Nils, i. 50.
Gwynned, ii. 78, 79 ; iii. — .

Habits and state of society, i. 172-174.

Hacks, i. 209.

Hailstorms of 1867 and 1870, iii. 474.

Haines, Reuben, iii. 414.

Hair-powder and dressing, i. 185, 458.

Halifax, Earl, ii. 207.

Hall & Sellers, i. 534; ii. 396.

Hall, Mrs., her account, ii. 72.

Hall of Independence, i. 351, 398; iii. 211.

Hallam's theatrical company, i. 471; iii.

359.
Hamilton, Andrew, of Bush Hill, i. 80, 316,
396, 477; ii. 274: iii. 205, 493.

Andrew, of Woodlands, iii. 493.

Andrew, colonial governor, i. 323; iii.

64, 69.

family, iii. 493, 494.

Col. John, invents post-oflBce, ii. 392.

Gov. James, of Bush Hill. i. 42, 63,

65, 66, 101, 165, 487, 594; ii. 274,
276; iii. 453.

William, iii. 493.
Hancock, President John, dress, i. 193;

chair, iii. 214.
Hanger, Major, i. 424.
Hanging for crimes, i. 310, 393.
Hanna, Mrs. Mary, iii. 466.
Ilannatown, ii. 192.
Hard, Elizabeth, i. 47.
Harding, John, Windmill Island, ii. 470.
Harmony Engine Company, iii. 425.
Harris, Esther, ii. 116.

John, ii. 113, 115.120, 185; iii. 466.
Harrisburg, ii. 113-120, 186.
Harrison, Henry, mayor, i. 66.

Index.

513

Ilarrison, James, i. 22, 43, 47; ii. 95.
Harrison the regicide, ii. 615.
llarrowgate Spring, ii. 427.
Hart, John, house at Chester,!. 128.
Hartsflelder, S., i. 11, 149, 439, 477; ii. 17,

238, 249.
Hasel, C, mayor, i. 62, 66.
Hatborough, ii. 99.
Hats, i. 192.

Haunted houses, i. 104, 272; iii. 153, 470.
Hazard, Ebenezer, P.-M. Gen., iii. 442, 477.

Erskine, ii. 460, 461.

Mrs. Maria, i. 599.

Samuel, colony in the West, i. 100.

Samuel, historian, ii. 354; iii. 414.
Hazel rod and hexing, i. 269, 270; ii. 32.
Heckewelder, Indian names, ii. 180.
Hell-town, i. 446.

Henlopcn, Cape, i. 7; ii. 474; iii. 79.
Hennepin, Lewis, ii. 234.
Henry, Patrick, i. 420; iii. 279.
Herkness' Bazaar, iii. 148.
Hermits, ii. 20, 42, 296 ; of the Wissahick-

on, iii. 458-460.
Hessians, ii. 294, 299, 312.
Hestonville, iii, 481.
Hexing, ii. 32.
Heylin, P., Cosmography, i. 86; ii. 281,

470.
Hickory or Lancaster, ii. 148.
High hill and well, i. 170.

street opened, i. 61.

prison and market, i. 356 ; iii. 177.
Hill, Richard, mayor, i. 66, 512.

William, beadle, breaks his bell, i. 60.
Hills in the city, i. 232, 367.
Hiltzheimer, Jacob, iii. 227.
Hinkle, Anthony Jacob, i. 98.
Historical Review of Peiinsi/ivania, i. 534.
Historical Society, iii. 501, 502.
History, general introductory, i. 1-5.

of Philadelphia, i. 6-77 ; materials for,
88, 89; ii. 575; iii. 17-76.
Hogan, Rev. William, iii. 319-322.
Hollekonck, Bucks county, i. 55.
Holme, John, i. 52.

Thomas, i. 13; his Portraiture of Phil-
adelphia, 52, 53, 142; ii. 175, 176;
iii. 36, 39-41, 83, 84, 91.
Holstein, Major M., ii. 253.
Hood, John, i. 458; iii. 326.
Hopkins, Capt. John, ii. 293; iii. 223.

Com., iii. 223, 470.

Thomas, and Treaty Tree, i. 135, 139.
Hopkinson, Francis, i. 386; ii. 336, 345.

Thomas, iii. 438.
Horse, aged, i. 104.
Horse-racing, i. 101, 277; iii. 155.
Horton, school for girls, i. 289.
Hose, first fire, iii. 410; riveted, when in-
troduced, 421.
Hospital, Pennsylvania, i. 461, 485; iii. 329.
Hospitals, i. 138, 460; ii. 389; iii. 329-332.
House of Correction for each county, i.

93.
Houses, altered, i. 220, 248; iii. 134.

best, i. 443 ; iii. 148.

in the city, ii. 407-409; iii. 141, 238.

peculiar, i. 445.

Vol. III.— 2 H

Howard, Peter, at Blue Anchor, i. 131.
Howe, Gen. Sir William, i. 561 ; ii. 38, 40,

45, 57, 71, 284, 289, 324, 407.
Howell, Arthur, i. 372, 507.
Hucksters, forestalling prevented, i. 61,

239.
Hudde, Andreas, governor of Fort Nassau,

iii. 22.
Hudson family, i. 518, 547.

Henry, i. 3, 547 ; discovers the Del-
aware, iii. 17.
William, i. 44, 66, 518, 547; iii. 500,
501.
Hudson's alley, i. 371.

Bay, voyage to, ii. 415.
orchard, i. 231, 495.
Hughes, John, stamp agent, ii. 269.
Hume, Isabel, i. 523.
Humphreys, Col., ii. 340.

James, Pennsylvania Leclr/er, ii. 398.
Humphries, Benjamin, at Blue Anchor,
i. 131. --"-^ -rt^w

Hunt, Isaac, i. 576. - b c^ c> - I ■y.-'-^^-^
Hunter, Fort, ii. 118, 183, 191.
Hunting, i. 277-279.
Hunting-frock, i. 332.
Hutton, J. S., i. 527, 601; ii. 578.
" Hyder Ali " exploit, ii. 324.

Ice-houses, i. 222; iii. 135.

Imports, ii. 402-410.

Independence, i. 396-402, 419, 535 ; ii. 278-

337, 293, 295, 309, 325 ; iii. 211, 253.
Declaration of, where signed, i. 400.
where read, i. 402; iii. 223.

written, i. 470; ii. 293; iii. 226.
who read, ii. 293; iii. 223, See State

House.
Indian alarms, i. 26; ii. 39, 117, 118, 120,

122, 125, 164, 168, 182-190, 192, 206,

373; iii. 56.
amusements, i. 38.

assaults, i. 98, 100, 323; ii. 245, 275.
canoes, i. 255 ; iii. 151.
captives, i. 101; ii. 142, 150, 161, 164,

173, 193, 195-205.
chief. Doctor John, murdered, i. 101.
doings, i. 41.
doings at Carlisle and Harrisburg, ii.

186.
Hannah, i. 53; ii. 161.
house for Tedyuscung, i. 100.
interpreters, i. 96.
kindness, i. 74; ii. 233; iii. 26, 52.
King Inn, i. 464; iii. 345, 349.
lands at Philadelphia, sold, ii. 1 75, 229.
manners, etc., ii. 62, 95, 153-158, 326.
murders, etc., i. 05, 98, 100.
names explained, ii. 82, 180.
paths, ii. 208.
servants, i. 62; ii. 263.
settlements, ii. 553.
speeches, i. 97.
summer, ii. 362.
traders attacked, i. 97, 98.
treaties, i. 24, 76, 100, 124, 137, 142;

ii. 237.

514

Index.

Indian towns and path?, ii. 205, 207-209,
229, 253.

Queen Inn, i. 470; iii. 349.

Tisits, i. 17, 24, 38, 94, 97, 98; ii. 31,
35, 75, lfi3, 237.

walk, i. 91, 123; ii. 100.
Indians, ii. 151-210 ; destroy a Dutch col-
ony, iii. 19; Penn's letter to, 36;
his dealings with, 43-45.

Conestoga, Logan's account of, i. 96 ;
ii. 178, 194.

Delawane, ii. 14, 169; iii. 61.

Gilbert family captured by, ii. 195-205.

Hanna's-town, ii. 192.

about Ilarrisburg, ii. 112-116.

made hostile by the French, i. 95.

Iroquois, iii. 466.

killed, i. 101.

like .lews, ii. 155, 162, 234.

now in the AVest, ii. 210.

Pa.\ton Boys, ii. 167.

Susquehanna, ii. 191.

to kill wolves, i. 94.
Inhabitants, taxable, ii. 402-410 ; iii. 240.
Innovations in business, i. 238-243.
Inns in Chester county, ii. 83.
Inoculation forbidden, ii. 371, 376.
Insects, noxious, ii. 412.
Insurance company, first, ii. 490; iii. 503.
Intelligence-offices, i. 240.
Irish, ii. 108, 259-261, 267; iii. 316.

settlement destroyed at Great Cave,
i. 100.
Iron-masters, early, iii. 503.
Iron produced, ii. 409.

trade and furnaces, ii. 569.

workers object to sale of liquor, i. 98.

Jackson, Paul, first A. M., i. 127.

President, inauguration, iii. 402.
James, Thomas C, coal, ii. 217.
Jawart, John, ii. 47.

Jefferson, Joseph, father, son, and grand-
son, the actors, iii. 376.
Jefferson Medical College's Hospital, iii.

332.
Jefferson, President, i. 193 ; ii. 41, 309, 373 ;

iii. 226.
Jenks, Lady, i. 122.
Jersey* market, i. 360.

population and blood, i. 255.
Jews or Indians? ii. 234.
Jeykelis, Mrs., i. 285.
Job's Tears, i. 192.

"John and Sarah," the first ship, i. 12.
Johnson, Col. Guy, ii. 202, 205.

R. (}., account of Salem, i. 88; iii. 89.

Swan, i. 149.
Johnson House, Germantown. iii. 457.
Jones, Griffith, mayor, i. 58, 66.

Isaac, mayor, i. 66.

Owen, colonial treasurer, i. 122.
Jones's alley, iii. 500.

row, i. 446.
Judges paid ten shillings a day, i. 95.

refuse to try criminals, i. 97.
Juniata, ii. 188, 191.

.lunto, Franklin's, ii. 495 ; iii. 336.

Jury, first one, i. 18, 96, 170, 214-216,

298, 359, 366, 40.°..
Jolly Tar Inn, or Penny Pothouse, i. 154.

Kalm, Prof., i. 50, 173, 242, 320, 382, 455;

ii. 157, 252, 254, 265, 282, 348, 392, 412,

470.
Keach, Rev. Elias, i. 448.
Kcarslcv, Dr. John, i. 381, 388, 398, 490;

ii. 375, 388; iii. 196-200.
Kcimer, Samuel, i. 557; iii. 441 ; starts a

lottery, i. 62; ii. 444; starts the Gazette,

ii. 395.
Keith, George, i. 287, 357, 379, 499, 54.3,
562; iii. 59, 100, 161, 431-433; and
Budd fined for defamation, iii. 60.
Sir William, i. 31, 79, 116, 144, 309,
376, 521, 526; ii. 255, 274; iii. 76,
192, 469 ; announces Penn's death,
with military performances, i. 111.
Kelpius, hermit, ii. 20, 21 ; iii. 458, 460.
Kempster, Jonathan, i. 98.
Kensington, i. 142 : town-hall and Treaty-
Tree chair, 477, 480.
"Kent," ship, arrives at Burlington,!. 10.
Key, John, i. 461, 511, 600: iii. 436; bora

in cave at ^'ine street, i. 155.
Kid, Capt. Robert, ii. 212-215, 225; iii. 65.
King, the, proclaimed, i. 60.
King and queen of France, ii. 498.
King (now Water) street, i. 169; iii. 499.
King, William R., iii. 96.
Kingsesse court and town, ii. 247 ; iii. 26.
Kingsley, Apollos, inventor, ii. 455.
Kinneer's house, i. 444.
Kinsev, John, his strange death, i. 434,

460 ■; ii. 414, 478.
Kirkbride, Joseph, first settler, i. 13.

Mahlon, i. 100.
Kitchens, cellars, i. 222.
Klincken, Anthony, i. 433; ii. 20.

Arents, ii. 20.
Knox, Gen., ii. 55.
Knyphausen, Gen., ii. 288.
Kutzen, Catharine, i. 317.

Labyrinth Garden, iii. 401.
Lacock, Joseph, pl.ays, i. 104.
Ladies' accomplishments, i. 177; ii. 629.
costumes and dressing, i. 187; ii. 623,

630.
notices of our war, ii. 310, 316, 327.
Ladv Jenks, Thomas Penn's companion,

i."l23.
La Fayette, Gen., ii. 61, 295, 298, 338; sits

for his portrait to Miss Pe.ale, iii. 94, 95 ;

member of Schuylkill Fishing Company,

296 ; visit to America in 1824-25, 472.
La (Jrange House, iii. 393.
Lammas floods, ii. 66.
Lamps, i. 102, 204, 211, 259; iii. 131.'
Lancaster and county, i. 94, 100; ii. 108-

113, 147, 168, 173; 'iii. 493.
Land, prices of, i. 263.
Landing at Blue Anchor, i. 39, 130, 344.

Index.

515

Landing at Chester, i. 127.

Landing Day, i. 15, 127, 130.

Landing-places, i. 39.

Landsdowne estate, iii. 271, 398.

"Lang Syne," i. 182, 290, 507, 553; ii.

380, 548; iii. 121, 143, 219.
Lapowinso, ii. 174, 180.
Laurel Hill, iii. 137.
Laurel tree, hard and abundant, i. 51.
Lawrence, Thomas, mayor, i. 66 ; iii. 87.
Laws, i. 311 ; first, iii. 34-36.
Lawyers, i. 70, 172, 305, 315, 321, 520; iii.

165.
Lay, Benjamin, i. 552 ; ii. 20, 23.

and Treaty Tree, i. 135.
Leah, Crazy, i. 406 ; ii. 549.
Leather Apron Club, ii. 495; iii. 336.
Lebanon Garden, ii. 194; iii. 390, 391,

401, 403.
Lee, Gen. Charles, buried, i. 166; iii. 120.
Lefevre, Isaac, ii. 112.
Lehigh Coal Company, ii. 459.
Lehighton, ii. 149.
Lehman, Benjamin, ii. 39, 40.
Lemon Hill, iii. 261, 262, 397.
L'Enfant, Mens., i. 409; iii. 264.
Lenni Lenape, ii. 159, 161, 169; iii. 17,

292, 466, 467.
Lennox, Major, i. 426; iii. 286.
Leopard Inn, i. 158.
Letitia House, i. 15, 158; iii. 117.
Le Fort, James, ii. 178.
Letters first advertised, iii. 475.
Levering, Wishert, ii. 19.
Lewis, Dixon H., iii. 96.

J. J., ii. 161.

Samuel N., iii. 414.

William, iii. 287.
Lewistown, i. 287 ; ii. 568.
Liberty Bell, iii. 209.

Library, i. 98, 462, 486, 526; ii. 550; iii.
335-344.

Apprentices', iii. 343.

Association, iii. 335.

Washington's, iii. 495.
Lightning in winter, ii. 353.
Lincoln, Elijah, ii. 45.
Lindley, Mary, detains Howe, i. 574.
Liquors, i. 97, 98, 238, 303, 463 ; iii. 344.
Literature, i. 244, 287, 525.
Livery stables, i. 210 ; iii. 130.
Livezey, John, ii. 43, 53.
Livingston, Gov., ii. 280.
Lloyd, David, i. 26; head of opposition to
Penn, i. 78, 80, 116, 521, 526 ; ii. 94.

Gov. Thomas, i. 23, 43, 108, 160, 499,
518; iii. 49-55, 58, 59; his wife, i.
35.
Local changes, i. 226, 230, 237.
Locomotive, first, ii. 623 ; iii. 152, 485.
Locust street widened, iii. 148.
Locusts, ii.412, 413.

Logan, Deborah, i. 27, 53, 77,129, 135, 411,
558, 570,573; iii. 231,447.

George, iii. 446, 447.

James, i. 24 ; letters, 288 ; ii. 35, 57,
171, 234, 254, 259, 479; iii. 68, 71-
75 ; admits of defensive war, i. 324,
502; aids Godfrey, i. 528; collectioa

at Stenton, i. 129; his advice, i. 28
33, 79, 84; his houses, i. 164, 476;
his memoir, i. 523 ; his papers, i.
77 ; his library, i. 463, 486; ii. 550 ;
iii. 335; is mayor, i. 61, 66; im-
peached, i. 26, 79.
Logan and Letitia Penn or Aubrey, i. 161.

William, i. 594; ii. 168.
Log college, i. 288; ii. 96, 101; iii. 102.
house, i. 151; ii. 617; iii. 43.
prison, Germantown, ii. 617.
Lombardy poplars, i. 414 ; iii. 135, 270, 311.
London Coffee-house, i. 393; iii. 203.

trade, i. 243.
Long Beach, ii. 463,
Long Branch, ii. 462, 464.
Longevity, list of names, ii. 578.
Lot bought for City Hall, i. 65.
Lotteries, i. 62, 101, 214, 239, 383; ii. 443-

445 : iii. 483.
Louis Philippe here, i. 555.

and brothers, ii. 132, 133.
Lovett, Edmund, first settler, i. 13.
Lowdon, Hugh, attacks the Speaker, i. 97.
Lower Counties, i, 85.
Lowe the pirate, ii. 226.
Low temperatures recorded, iii. 474.
Loxley, Capt., fireworks, i. 102, 103, 133;

fills up swamp, 346 ; iii. 266.
Loxley House, i. Ill; iii. 265.
Ludwick, Charles, ii. 43, 44, 56.
Lutheran Church, i. 451, 454; ii. 26; iii.

312.
Luzerne, Chevalier de la, iii. 140.
" Lydia Locket," ii. 333.
Lyie, Mrs., i. 53.

Lyon, Patrick, and the bank, iii. 282; his
fire-engines, 409.

Macaulay, Isaac, ii. 126.

Machinery and manufactures, i. 244-246,

259.
Mack, Alexander, ii. 21, 23.
Macomb, John, i. 544.
Macpherson's Blues, i. 331; ii. 615; iii.

169, 494.
Maddox, aged Mrs., ii. 617.
Maelzel's Automaton Trumpeter, iii. 452,

463.
Magistrates, ii. 495.
Mahanatry Creek, ii. 182.
Mail robbery by Porter, iii. 163, 353.
Mail-tubes, pneumatic, iii. 503.
Makin, Thomas, i. 57, 287 ; ii. 348 ; iii. 161.
Malcom, J. P., i. 576.
Malt-houses, i. 50.
Manaiunk River, i. 40.
Manhattan, ii. 14.

Manufactories, first, ii. 36, 272; iii. 150. »
Maps, i. 62, 79.
Marcus Hook, ii. 211, 244.
Markets and stalls, i. 63, 05, 301, 356, 362,

482; iii. 182-185,188.
Market Square, (iermantown, ii. 24, 27.
Markhain, William, sent to this country, i.

14, 23, 42, 159, 167; lives at Letitia House,

iii. 28, 30, 39, 40, 58, 61, 62, 70, 85, 469.

516

Index.

Markoe, Peter, his poem, i. 414.

IIoiiPC, i. 444; ii. 651 ; iii. 304.
Marriages,!. 178, 6(i;}; ii.C22; iii. 434.
Miir.«h!ill, E., and the Indian Walk, i. 123;

ii. 100.
Mar.she's flatboats on the Schuylkill, ii. 476.
Martin, John, iii. 287; his charity-houses,
iii. 289.

Judge, ii. 334.
Martin's Well, i. 441.
Mason and Dixon'.s Line, ii. 515.
Masquerades, i. 307; iii. 159.
Masters, Thomas, mayor, i. 66, 161, 169,

477, 519; ii. 486.
Matlack, T., i. 157, 270, 4.34; iii. 4.35.
Mauch Chunk, ii. 150, 196, 205, 528.
Maulshy, Samuel, ii. 61.
M.ay, John, clown, iii. 278.
Mayer, Rev. Philip F., iii. 314.
Mayors, i. 58-64, 66; iii. 87, 88.
McAllister, John, Jr., iii. 229, 454.
McAran's Garden, iii. 400.
MeCall, Archibald, i. 444.
McClenachan. Blair, i. 180, 475.
MeGawley, Elizabeth, i. 453.
McKay, AVilliam, " Lang Syne," ii. 182.
McKean, Judge, i. 197 ; iii. 222.
McLane, Allen, ii. 68, 299, 321, 323,
McVeagh, Wayne, address, iii. 99.
Mead and cakes, i. 493.
Meal-market, i. 351.
Mease, Dr., Picture of Philadelj)hia, ii. 4;

iii. 183, 226.
Mechanics, i. 246.
Mechanics' Song, ii. 345.
Medical lectures, ii. 377, 378, 380.

subjects, ii. 370-390.
Meers, Nicholas, i. 599.
Meeting-houses, i. 355.
Melons' (water-), i. 103.
Me Mo Michael Hans Muckle Weder, i.

175; ii. 648.
Menageries, ii. 494.
Mennonists, i. 98; ii. 24, 38, 60.
Mercantile Library Company, iii. 342.
Merchants, i. 197, 225, 241 ; ii. 482.
Merchants' Exchange, i. 348.
Mercury, American Weekly, ii. 395.
Meredith, Reese, ii. 165.

William, i. 68.

Sarah, i. 600.

& Franklin, publishers, ii. 396.
Meschianza, ii. 386, 290-293, 323, 477;

iii. 470, 471.
Meteors, ii. 369; Southworth's, iii. 473.
Methodist Church, i. 455, 458; ii. 26; iii.

326.
Mexican War, soldiers in, iii. 173.
Mey, Capt. Cornelius, i. 6; iii. 17,79.
Micklc, Samuel, i. 445.
Midwifery by females, ii. 384.
Mifflin, Gen.", i. 426, 427; ii. 277.
Milestones, ii. 420, 484; iii. 97, 481.
Military, i. 285, 323-333, 363, 406, 501,

605; ii. 685; iii. 168, 171, 173.
Military Ilall in Library street, iii. 305.
ililitia,'i. 25, 28, 65, 323-333; ii. 326; iii.

171.
Millennium, ii. 21.

Miller, Jacob, his account, ii. 57.

John, his account, ii. 67-71.
Miller's German newspaper, ii. 398.
Millineries, i. 226, 239, 364.
Mills, i. 40, 128,478; fi. 27, 100; iii. 104.
Mineral water, i. 425, 490.
Minks, i. 50.

Minuit, Peter, iii. 20, 21.
Minutes of Assembly, i. 56, 80, 95.

of City Council, i. 68; ii. 178.

of Council (of State), i. 92 ; iii. 91.
Miscellanea, i. 235; ii. 481, 499; iii. 503.
Mitchell the auctioneer, iii. 144.
Mobs, ii. 496.

Mompesson, Judge, i. 107.
Monastery and monks, ii. 42, 43 ; iii. 461.
Money, i. 32, 62, 90, 104, 269, 302; ii. 440-
443 ; iii. 482.

hidden, ii. 213, 223,420.
"Monk" privateer, ii. 324.
Monmouth's insurrection, i. 44.
Moore, John and Nicholas, i. 78, 80, 93, 95.

Nicholas, made Speaker, i. 16, 52; iii.
49 ; summoned for disrespect, i. 93-
95; iii. 86.
Moravian Church, i. 454; ii. 169, 183; iii.

323, 324.
Morgan, Dr. John, ii. 376.
Morris, Anthony, mayor and Speaker, i.
58, 66, 103, 339, 400, 434, 448, 490;
iii. 87.

Deborah, i. 47.

family, i. 49.

Gouverneur, i. 579; ii. 274; iii. 467.

S. B., house, ii. 38, 40, 60 ; iii. 464.

Mrs. Ann Willing, iii. 448.

Mrs. Mary, Diary, ii. 310.

Robert, i. 409, 475; ii. 329, 337; iii.

. 251, 260, 263, 286; opinion of, by
Adams, iii. 262.

Samuel, iii. 167, 168, 292, 294.

AVilliam, iii. 414.
Morrison, William, iii. 414.
Morton, William, declares himself a Scotch-
man, i. 96.
Mount Holly, ii. 312.
Mount Pleasant, iii. 494.
Mount Regale Fishing Company, iii. 299.
Moyamensing Kill or Hay Creek, i. 147;
iii. 390, 395.

Prison, iii. 181.
Muhlenberg, Rev. H. M., i. 451 ; ii. 26; iii.

312.
Mulberry and Sassafras streets, iii. 499.
Mullein, Indian cure for agufi, ii. 252.

Pegg, i. 464, 469.
Munday's Run, i. 237.
Murder, i. 306, 309, 437.
Murray, Humphrey, mayor, i. 49.

Lindley, i. 574.
Musgrove, Col., ii. 54.
Music, i. 220, 292, 331, 386; ii. Ill, 258 j
iii. 151.

American Academy of, iii, 375.

N.
Nanticokes, ii. 17u.
Nash, Gen., ii. 37, 59, 296.

Index.

517

National Museum at Independence Hall,

iii. 209.
Nativities, ii. 22, 36.
Navy of the Revolution, ii. 296-298, 338-

340, 6fi0, 585.
Nederland, New, i. 3, 4, 86.
Nedowaway, ii. 181, 209.
Negroes and slaves, i. 62, 97, 98, 102, 309,

557; ii. 261-266.
Negro minstrelsy, iii. 380.
Neill, Rev. William, ii. 205.
Neville family, ii. 131.
New Albion, province of, iii. 25.
New Amsterdam, founded, i. 3.
New Castle, i. 8, 10, 15, 16, 24, 85-87, 93,

162, 324; fort, iii. 72.
New England, ii. 281.
New Etxjland Primer, i. 296.
New Jersey, i. 9, 10, 17, 42, 74, 87, 90, 97,

255, 325; ii. 607, 570, 628; iii. 29.
New Public Buildings, iii. 232.
New York, captured and named by the
English, i. 9. ■
fire of 1836, iii. 473.
Newspapers, ii. 36, 326, 337, 396.

earliest, ii. 399; first daily, iii. 479.
Nicholson lands and claims, ii. 416; man-
sion, iii. 395, 481.
Niebuhr, Barbara, i. 601.
Nixon, John, iii. 223.
Noble, Abel, preacher, i. 552.
Noe, Charles de la, i. 43, 454; ii. 112, 431.
Norris family, i. 132; ii. 284, 286.

house and garden, i. 408, 493 ; iii. 231.

Isaac, i. 29, 34, 49, 77, 81, 88, 165, 398,

408, 601, 619; ii. 265, 349; iii. 399.

mayor, i. 66.

Norristown, i. 34; ii. 79; iii. 464.

North End, or Northern Liberties, i. 283,

477.
Northern Liberties, i. 481 ; ii. 550.
Engine Company, iii. 424.
North-west Passage, ii. 495.
Numbering houses introduced, iii. 153.

Oak tree, big, ii. 420.

Oaths and affirmations, i. 501.

Occurrences of War of Independence, ii.

278-337.
Ofiice of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, i.
423 ; iii. 283.

United States Government, i. 227.
Offley, Daniel, i. 507.
Offley's anchor forge, i. 430 ; iii. 300.
Oil-cloth manufactory, iii. 126, 127.
O'Hara, Gen., ii. 131, 133.
Old coins found, ii. 420.

court-house, iii. 177.

Perry, i. 429.

houses, iii. 148.
Old Shrunk, i. 268 ; ii. 32, 56.
Olden time affections and researches, ii. 1-

15.
Ole Bull h.at, iii. 125.
O'Mcaly, Rev. T. J., iii. 321, 322,
Ornish people, ii. 109.
Omnibuses, iii. 488.

One-penny bills, iii. 92.
Origin of words, ii. 419.
Osborne's water-colors, iii. 160.
Otter, John, first settler, i. 13.
Outfits of a Philadelphia vessel, i. 88.
Owen's Cave in Townsend's court, i. 171.
Oysters and oyster-cellars, i. 18,46, 51, 240,
ii. 471.

Pacers, i. 209.

Packets, i. 218, 242; iii. 466.

Pack-horses, ii. 122, 144.

Paid Fire Department, iii. 412.

Palatines, ii. 19, 254, 266.

Palmer, Capt. and Gov., 1. 139.

Panics, i. 260; iii. 387.

Pantalets, i. 202.

Paoli, battle of, ii. 83.

Papered walls, i. 205; iii. 125.

Paper made at Germantown, i. 72.

Paper-mill, first, ii. 27; iii. 59.

Paper monej', ii. 440-443; iii. 482.

Papists, ii. 116, 255.

Parker, colonial register, ii. 93.

Garden, iii. 394.

Joseph, iii. 414.
Parkinson's Garden, balloon ascension, iii,

165.
Parks, public, compared, iii. 398.
Parrish, Isaac, i. 53, 602.
Paschall, Joseph, iii. 423.
Passenger-cars in Philadelphia, iii. 486.

railroads, iii. 488.
Passing changes of men and manners, ii.

581.
Passports, original, ii. 19.
Pastorius, F. D., i. 44, 92, 171, 493, 616 ; ii.

17, 19, 47, 431; iii. 467.
Patterson, Sarah, i. 453.
Pauling, Jesse, ii. 203.
Pavements, i. 51, 101, 212, 386; iii. 131.
Pawnbrokers, i. 239.
Paxton, ii. 110, 114, 121.
Paxton Boys, i. 90, 103; ii. 34, 114, 117,

119, 167,184, 269.
Peace-makers, i. 18.
Peach trees, ii. 46, 112.
Peale's museum of portraits, i. 104; iii. 221.

portrait of Washington, iii. 498.

Sarah M., iii. 94.
Pea-patch Island, ii. 474; iii. 490.
Pearson House and family, i. 233.
Pecqua, ii. 108, 112.
Pegg, Daniel, i. 439.
Pegg's house for Penn's residence, i. 139.

Run and dam, i. 149, 436, 477, 481,
490; ii.475, 477; iii. 302.
Poole's Bridge at, i. 156.
Pemberton, Israel, i. .■!75, 393 ; ii. 166, 414.

James, i. 507, 639, 695.

John, i. 375, 393, 487.

Mary, ii. 285.

Phineas, i. 47, 56; ii. 95.
Pemberton's great house, i. 164.
Pence, English half-, i. 62.
Penington, Edward, and house, i. 444;
iii. 118,304.

Isaac, grave, i. 120.

518

Index.

Pcnn family, 5. 9, 25, 30, 34, 105, 106, 121,
128, 126, 308, 417; iii. 96-98.

arms on milestones, ii. 420, 484; iii.
97, 481.

Admiral Gretirille, Life of, i. Ill,
12G; iii. 97.

Gaskell, Mary, iii. 98.

Hall, i. 158.

Hannah, i. 30, 85, 106, 109, 112.

John, arrives, i. 31 ; account of him,
i. 116, 123.

John second made governor, i. 31, 65,
124 ; ii. 276; marries Judge Allen's
daughter, i. 125 ; builds Lands-
downe, i. 125 ; dies and buried at
Christ Church, i. 125.

John, son of Thomas, builds Solitude,
i. 125; dies at Stoke Pogis, i. 125.

Letitia, i. 24, 117, 158-162; ii. 79.

Richard, Gov., arrives, i. 31, 124; ii.
276; marries Miss ^Masters, i. 125.

Societj', iii. 98 ; and tavern, iii. 361.

Springett, i. 125.

Thomas, arrives, i. 31. 121; iii. 467,
468; his letters, i. 124, 417.
Penn, William, first interested in New Jer-
sey, i. 9; Pennsylvania granted to him,
i. 11; iii. 28; city-plot, i. 13, 43; his
terms, i. 12; embarks for America, i.
15; the government transferred to him,
ii. 249; iii. 42; again, i. 23, 107; iii.
36; arrives, i. 16, 23, 107, 617; his
prospects, i. 19, 20, 34, 107 ; his troubles,
i. 22, 28 ; treaty with the Indians, i. 134-
146; ii. 160; "iii. 43; dealing with In-
dians, i. 124: describes the Indians, ii.
153; visits the interior of the colony, i,
45; ii. 178; his description of the coun-
try, i. 45; iii. 46, 51; jumps with In-
dians, i. 55; his letters, i. 19-22, 27, 28,
42, 82-84, 105, 1119; ii. 251, 501 ; Lord
Baltimore's claim, iii. 47 ; returns to
England, iii. 48; Lords of Plantation
decide in his favor, iii. 50 ; sends letter
of advice to Provincial Council, iii. 57;
is persecuted under King William's gov-
ernment, iii. 59 ; business concerns, i.
105; is called Lord Penn, i. 106; con-
stitutes Philadelphia a city, i. 25; fac-
tion against him, i. 78; liking for Fair-
mount, i. 78; salaries to officers, i. 78;
issues second proposals to settlers, iii.
59; the Province taken from him, iii.
60: second marriage, iii. 63 ; second visit
to Philadelphia, iii. 65 ; landing at Ches-
ter, i. 127-129; at Blue An.-hor Tavern,
i. 130-133; at New Castle, ii. 511; re-
turns to England, i. 28; iii. 68; causes
of his return home, i. 107 ; design in
founding the colony, i. 107 ; pecun-
iary embarrassment, i. 108; mal-treat-
mcut from the Fords, i. 108; in Old
Bailey Prison, i. 108; sells his Propri-
etary interests to the Crown, i. 27, 42,
84; iii. 68; his province, i. 45, 49, 74;
the factions, i. 79, 80, 501, 521 ; title to
Lower Counties, i. 86; his expenses, i.
91; his. cottage, i. 15, 158; makes his
will, i. 30 ; his illness and death, i. 109,

110; iii. 68, 76; genealogy, i. 118, 119;
graveyard at Jordan's, i. 119; portraits,
i. Ill: family plate, ii. 106; relics, ii.
102, 106, 122,501 ; country-seat .at Penns-
bury,i.44; ii. 101-107: statue by Bacon,
i. 112; slanders against, i. 120 ; descend-
ants, i. 121; mill at Chester, i. 128,478:
• blue sash at treaty, i. 137 ; Slate-rool
House, i. 163; laws, excellence of, i.
311; order for shail, i. 464: ii. 411;
preaching, ii. 23: his mother, iii. 96;
his character, iii. 99-ll):'>; youthful life,
iii. 101 ; charged with being a Catholic,
iii. 317; his aj)pearance, i. 151; the
Church party, i. 380; on slavery, iii. 468.
Penn, AVilliam, Jr., arrives, i. 25 ; sells
Norrington Manor, i. 34, 115; his cha-
racter, i. 112, 115; iii. 69, 70; his wild
adventures, i. 114, 308; dies, i. 116; his
three children, i. 116.
Pennock, A. L., iii. 414.

Nathaniel, i. 100.
Pennsbury, i. 15, 68, 44, 106; ii. 101-108;

iii. 46, 465.
Pennsylvania, the grant to Penn and first
names, i. 11 ; terms to colonists, 12; the
surrender, 27; Penn's designs for, 30,
107; diflficulties with,31, 34; described,
45, 52, 68, 90, 565; progress, 76,243;
laws, 311 ; ii. 16, 249 ; first laws, iii. 35,
36: Penn's description of, 46, 51.
Pennsylvania Bank, robbery of, iii. 282;

failure of, iii. 386.
PennKxjlvnnia Gazette, iii. 442.
Pennsylvania Hospital, iii. 329-331.

Legislature, first, iii. 44.
Peunsyli-riuia Pavlcet, newspaper, iii. 479.
Penny Pothouse, i. 96, 153-155.
Pequa Valley, ii. 112.
Percy, Lord, ii. 86.
Permanent Bridge, iii. 491.
Perot, Elliston, ii. 464.
Persons and characters, i. 511.
Pest-house, i. 461 ; iii. 3H3.
Peterborough, Lord, at Philadelphia, i. 52.
Peters, Judge R., i. 135 ; poem on Treaty
Tree, i. 145; criticism on R. J.
Dove, i. 178, 561; iii. 494.
Rev. Richard, L 374, 382, 509; iii.

194, 195.
Secretary, i. 124, 148, 316; ii. 160,

181, 206, 260, 273.
William, i. 474.
Pettitoe, Daniel, public whippor, i. 64.
Philadelphia, site chosen, i. 13, 14, 42, 54,
56, 146; its name. 14, 19; beloved, 21;
charter, 25; settlement, 35. 37, 42, 50,
53; described by Gilbert Thomas, 67;
its astrological sign, 77; its seal, 93;
incorporated into a city, 96; called
"Filthy-dirty," 101: its size in 1683,
44, 47; paintings of, 126; growth of, ii.
4; its first chosen site, 75; treaty br
which the lands of the city and vicinity
are held, 175: as an early ))ower, 325;
reminiscences of, 548: consolidation of,
604 ; environsof,621 ; Penn's regulations
concerning, iii. 31, 32 ; laying out of, in
1682, 39; early names of streets, 40;

Index.

519

early householders in, 41 ; original di-
mensions of, 41; when so named, 42;
Penn's description of, 50-53; deaths in,
during the first half of the eighteenth
century, 92 ; early lawyers of, 166; dwell-
ings in, and population of, at various
periods, 230, 237 ; progress of, 234.

Philadelphia Bank, iii. 384.
Blues, iii. 170.

Hose Company, iii. 413-424.
Library, iii. 337.

PMlndelphiad, The, ii. 499.

Phillips, Rev. Francis, duel, i. 334; iii. 75,
174.

Philosophical Society, iii. 217.

Phoenix Tavern, iii. 358.

Physicians, i. 70, 168, 341; ii. 373, 375-
379.

Pianos, earliest made, iii. 151.

Pickering, Charles, lawyer and counter-
feiter, i. 18, 93, 302, 316.
Col., ii. 55.

Pictures for Annals, ii. 499.

Pigeons, i. 17, 260, 279; ii. 82, 410.

Pillory and post, i. 103, 300, 361; iii. 182.

Pilmore, Piev. J., i. 455.

Pilots for the Delaware, i. 97.

Pine the artist, i. 104.

Pins, ii. 608.

Pioneers and first settlers, ii. 145, 232, 243,
249, 626.

Pirates, i. 88, 91, 120, 268 ; ii. 32, 211-225 ;
iii. 63, 76.

Pittsburg and Braddock, ii. 127-147 ; iii.
244.

Places of amusement burnt, iii. 372.

Plants, medicinal, ii. 373.

Plough invented, ii. 66.

Plowden, Edmund, grant to, iii. 24, 25.

Pluck, Col. John, i. 333; iii. 173, 363.

Plumstead, W., mayor, i. 65, 66, 471; ii.
489.
Clement, mayor, i. 66.

Plymouth Meeting-house, ii. 61.

Point Pleasant, i. 479.

Politicians, i. 238, 245, 401, 521.

Ponds, i. 38, 433, 495; ii. 498.

Poole. Nathaniel, i. 156.
William, i. 156.

Poole's Bridge, i. 156-158, 436; iii. 117.

Poor-houses, i. 460, 462 ; iii. 333-335.

Poor Richard's Almanac, iii. 92.

Poplar-worm, iii. 135.

Population, ii. 551.

Poquesink, i. 35, 56.

Porches, i. 219.

Port entries, ii. 488.

Porter, James, robs the mail, iii. 163, 353;
executed at Bush Hill, iii. 104.

Post, the earliest, i. 219, 227, 563; ii. 391,
393, 485 ; iii. 47, 64, 475-477.
C. F., Indian agent, ii. 150.

Postmasters of Philadelphia, iii. 475,476.

Pot- and pearl-ashes, i. 239.

Potatoes, first use, ii. 420, 486.

Potter, Thomas, iii. 127.

Potters' Field, i. 406; ii. 26, 329; iii. 71,
139, 230, 393.

Potts, Isaac and Washington, i. 579.

Pottsville, ii. 149, 528.
Poulson, Olle, ii. 231.

Z., iii. 479.
Powder-house, i. 440 ; iii. 303.
Powell, Mrs., i. 132.

Samuel, rich carpenter, i. 60, 101
102, 483,559.
Powell's Hill and Spring, i. 102.
Power, Honora (Crazy Norah), iii. 289, 452.
Pratt, Henry, i. 474 ; ii. 392 ; iii. 262, 397.
Presbyterian church. Second or Arch

Street, iii. 27Y-310 ; First, iii. 307 ; min-
isters of, iii. 308,483.
Presbyterian churches, i. 450, 457, 540 ; ii.

444"; iii. 277, 307, 388.
President's House on Ninth street, iii. 277,

445.
Presidents of United States compared, ii.

308.
Preston, the aged Mrs., i. 56, 131, 152, 600.

Samuel, i. 55, 60, 60, 123, 428, 534.
Price, Reese, at Blue Anchor, i. 131.

and John, ii. 73.
Prices and changes, i. 69, 88, 259, 260.
Priestley, Joseph, iii. 327.
Primitive settlement, i. 35-104.

courts and trials, i. 298.
Primores and magnates, ii. 232.
Prince, Timbuctoo, i. 556.
Princeton College lottery, ii. 444.
Printing, i. 296 ; ii. 399-401.
press, Franklin's, ii. 400.
Printz, Gov., i. 8; ii. 229, 261; iii. 21,

Hall, iii. 79.
Prison, Arch Street, iii. 177-182.
Prisons, i. 39, 59, 94, 96, 300, 366-362; ii.

300-302; iii. 177.
Pritchett's Garden, iii. 395.
Privateers, i. 57, 325, 328.
Privy Council, England, i. 313.
Progress of Philadelphia, ii. 4 ; iii. 234.
Proprietary papers, in Land-Oflttce, i. 95;

in Pennsylvania, iii. 65-69.
Prothonotaries, i. 401.
Proud, Robert, i. 4, 31 ; his History qvioted,

111, 119, 135, 487, 621, 563 ; iii. 85, 442.
Provincial Council, iii. 34.

Hall, iii. 207.
Public gardens, iii. 400-404.
schools, origin of, iii. 162.
spectacle, ii. 494.
Publishing interests in Philadeljjhia, iii.

150.
Pulaski and cavalry, ii. 59.
Pumps and wells, i. 104.
Punishments, early, iii. 163.
Puritans settle on the Delaware, i. 4.
P.usey, Caleb, mill at Chester, i. 128 ; iii.

56, 103, 104.

Joshua, aeronaut, iii. 156.

Quacks and quackery, ii. 388; iii. 478.
Quakers, i. 499-51 1.

Free. iii. 435, 430.

in sackcloth, ii. 499.

vacate their seats in war, i. 100.
Quakers' Academy, iii. 202.

620

Index.

Quakers' Company, i. 510.

school, iii. ]fiO.
Quarry, Col., i. 78, 80, 85, 380.
Queen Anne gives church plate, i. 379.

Christina, ii. 230.

of the Meschianza, iii. 470.
Quit-rent, i. 57.

Races, i. 277, 278.

on the Delaware, iii. 151.
Raft-ships, ii. 439.

Railroads and canals, i. 255; ii. 465-469;
iii. 152, 485-487.

city passenger, iii. 488.
Railway act, first, ii. 466.
Rakestraw, Joscj)h, gravestone, i. 449.

William, board-yard, i. 154.
Raleigh. Sir Walter, expeditions, i. 2.
Ilanibo famil}-, i. 304.
" Randolph " frigate, ii. 294, 296, 297.
Rape, i. 309.
Rare persons, i. 552.
Rarities sent to Pcnn, i. 411.
Rattlesnake Inn, i. 558.
I'awdon, Lord, ii. 284.
Rawle, Francis, first settler, i. 106, 429.
Read, Mary and Anne Bonny, ii. 222.

Charles, mayor, i. 60.

Collinson, lawyer, i. 317.
Reading, ii. 148, 185, 207: iii. 466.
Ready-made clothing, iii. 149.
Red IJank and the Revolution, ii. 570.
Rc(lemj)tion-.servants, ii. 266-268.
Redheil'er's invention, ii. 65, 417.
Redman, Dr., ii. 382.
Reed, James, and Treaty Tree, i. 105.

John, against Penn, i. 79.
, Joseph, i. 320 ; iii. 253.

Gen., ii. 304, 305, 313.
Reformed Church, i. 451.
Relics, i. 160, 164, 248, 367, 389, 580; ii.

500; iii. 495-497.
Remarkable incidents, ii. 410-421.
Reminiscences of Philadelphia, ii. 548.
Resources of Pennsylvania, ii. 409.
Revolutionary navy, ii. 560, 585.
Reynolds family, i. 338, 339.

Henry, i. 338, 598.
Rhoadc, S., mayor, i. 66*
Richards, Samuel, i. 131, 347.
Richard,-on, Col. F., i. 560.

John, ii. 102, 160.
Rickett's Circus, i. 486.
Ridge road country-seats, ii. 480; iii. 64.
Ridgwav Branch of Philadelphia Library,

iii. 340.
Ridley Creek mills, near Chester, i. 128.
Riots, i. 98, 308, 351, 425, 535, 536.
Rising Sun Village, i. 257.
Rittenhouse, David, house, i. 104, 488: ii.
35, 466; iii. 93; observatory, 225.

Garrett, ii. 27.

Martin, ii. 27.
Ritter, Jacob, and prisoners, ii. 300.
River-front bank, i. 166.
Roach, Judge, i. 97.

Roads, i. 93, 94, 257, 298 ; ii. 35, 67, 122,
205,469; iii. 54, 62,64.

Roberdeau, Gen., i. 451 ; ii. 305.
Roberts, Edward, mayor, i. 66.

Israel, builds bridge over Pegg's Run,
i. 157.

Owen, sheriff, i. 97.
Robin Hood Inn, ii. 477.
Robinson, Matthew, freeman, i. 59.

Mrs. Lydia, midwife, ii. 384.

Patrick, i. 93-95, 303, 316, 356 ; iii. 49,
163.
Rock, George, mayor, i. 60, 66.
Roderick Random in America, ii. 207.
Romanist churches, i. 452, 485; ii. 603;

iii. 31 6-323.
Ronaldson, James, stereotyper, ii. 400;

cemetery, iii. 137, 392.
Rope Ferry, iii. 491.
Ropewalks, i. 228.
Rose, Aquila, ii. 489.
Roset, Jacob, ii. 63.
Rosicrucian, ii. 22.
Ross, John, i. 376, 444; ii. 152, 414.
Rudman, Rev., ii. 229.
Rum at vendues, etc., ii. 97.

distilleries, i. 238; ii. 415.
Rumsey, James, i. 591 ; ii. 452, 453.
Runaways, i. 190.
Rush chair made of Treaty Tree, i. 138.

Dr. B., ii. 43, 75-77, 360.

James, iii. 341 ; his bequest to Phil-
adelphia Library, iii. 340.

William, i. 575; ii. 439; iii. 444.
Rysingh, John, iii. 23.

Sabbath, i. 300, 306, 394.

Sailors' town, i. 446.

Salaries to officers, i. 78, 79, 95, 98.

Salem, first settled, i. 10, 87, 306; ii. 253,

tea destroyed at, ii. 273.
Sallee pirates and Moors, ii. 221.
Sanderlin, James, ii. 94, 238, 242, 244.
Sandiford, Ralph, ii. 74, 265.
Sanding floors, ii. 550.
Sansom, William, i. 410, 436, 486; iii. 264.
Savage, Samuel, freeman, i. 59.
Savery, William, i. 507.
Sauer. See Sowjsii.
Say, Dr. Thomas, ii. 381.
Scalps, ii. 121, 177.
Scattergood, Thomas, i. 507.
Sccnerj', American, ii. 585.
Schlatter, Rev. Michael, i. 452; ii. 257.
Schools, i. 72, 282, 287, 288, 290, 294.
School-teachers, i. 289.
Schuylkill, i. 40. 147, 430; ii. 365, 366,
475, 476, 609; iii. 491, 492; discov-
ery of, 79; steamboats on, 484;
dams proposed, 485.

Arsenal, iii. 304.

Bank, iii. 384-386.

Fishing Company, i. 431 : iii. 291-299.

Navigation Company, iii. 492.

State in, iii. 29.3.
Scotch-Irish, ii. 260.
Seal of Philadelphia, the anchor, i. 93.
Seals of counties of Pennsylvania, iii. 44,
Seashore, account of, ii. 538-648.

Index.

521

Seasons and climate, ii. 34:7'-369; iii. 473-

475.
Seckel pear, ii. 487.
Second sight, i. 273.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, i. 423.
Seelig, John, hermit, ii. 21.
Segars, ii. 615.
Segur's ice-creams, iii. 135.
Sergeant, i. 397; iii. 163.
Servants, i. 176, 191, 358; iii. 469.

redemption, ii. 266-268.
Settees and settles, i. 203.
Shackamaxon, i. 10, 140; ii. 237, 242.
Shade, Peter, iii. 86.
Shade trees, iii. 135.
Shad in the Delaware, ii. 470, 631.
Shakespeare Buildings, burning of, iii. 283.
Shamokin, ii. 182.

Sharpless, John, lands at Chester, i. 128.
Sharswood House, iii. 305.
Shawanese Indians confer with Penn, i. 100.
Shearman's Valley, ii. 122, 185, 186.
Sheiks, or Eastern princes, i. 552.
Sheriff, first Philadelphia, i. 18.
Sheriffs, i. 65, 92, 97, 99, 238.
Shettle, Robert, mayor, i. 66.
Shift-marriage, ii. 418.
Shingass, ii. 129.
Ship-John Shoal, iii. 490.

" Amity," iii. 83.

"Welcome," iii. 37.
Shippen, Dr. William, i. 209, 210, 540; ii.
376.
Edward, first mayor, etc., i. 25, 39, 56,
66, 72, 285, 522, 523, 540; iii. 69,
437, 483.

house, i. 39, 368.

Joseph, i. 89: iii. 91.
Ships and shipbuilding, i. 228; ii. 404-410,

438-441.
Ships "Kent" and "Shield," i. 10.
Shipyards, i. 154, 228, 575.
Shively the cutler, i. 104.
Shoemaker family, i. 598; ii. 23, 29, 33,
47, 64, 66.

B., mayor, 1. 66; iii. 87.

S., mayor, i. 66 ; iii. 140.
Shrunk, Godfrey,!. 432; ii. 476.
Shute, A., mayor, i. 66.
Sideboards, i. 203.
Signs, i. 467; iii. 368.
Silk-culture, ii. 437, 438; iii. 285.
Silk, strange durability of, ii. 424.
Simcoe, Col., protects Treaty Tree, i. 137.
Singing, i. 293, 386.
Six Nations, iii. 466.
Skating, i. 103, 280, 495; ii. 610,
Skinner, Mrs. Esther, ii. 126.
Skippack, ii. 59, 60.
Slate-roof House, i. 39, 52, 163-166; iii.

65, 119.
Slaughter-house, i. 59, 96.
Slaves, freed, i. 406; ii. 23, 66, 261-264,

612; iii. 56, 433, 469.
Sleds, sleighs, and skates, ii. 610.
Sleighing, ii. 33, 610.
Smallpox, i. 15, 51, 98; ii. 371, 372.
Smiley, AVilliam, iii. 149.
Smith, Adam;, i. 533.

Smith, Charles, auctioneer, iii. 145.

Col. James, ii. 142.

Dr. William, i. 416; iii. 275, 276.

John, i. 376, 460, 538, 539; ii. 373.

Lieut., of Virginia, ii. 55, 60.

Parson, tomb at the Falls, i. 104.

Seba, ii. 24.
Smith's Island, ii. 470 ; iii. 489, 490.
Smith's New Jersey quoted, i. 31.
Smuggling, ii. 421.
Snow seven feet deep, i. 101 ; iii. 474.
Snyder, Jacob, ii. 19.
Society Hill, i. 38, 52, 98, 131, 232, 325,

337, 472, 482, 537.
Society of Fort St. David's, iii. 292.

of Free Traders, i. 12, 93, 94, 484; iii.
33, 91.
Society, progress of, i. 32, 34, 172-174,
243, 248.

state of Germantown, etc., ii. 19, 20,
33, 34, 40, 55, 63, 64, 252, 306.
Soldiers, i. 406; ii. 331.
Solebury, Bucks county, ii. 520.
Song for Tradesmen, ii. 345.
Sound transmitted, ii. 492.
Southbe, William, asks for freedom of ne--

groes, i. 97.
South End, i. 28.3, 482 ; iii. 389.

River or Delaware, ii. 474.
Southwark, a pleasant place, i. 148, 483.

Theatre, iii. 369.
Sower family, i. 532; ii. 34, 36, 256, 399;

iii. 132.
Sowles, Andrew, i. 543.
Speakman, Mrs., i. 598 ; ii. 328.
Specie payments, i. 250; iii. 385, 386.
Spectacles, i. 193, 197.

public, ii. 494.
Speculations, i. 260; ii. 415.
S])inning-wheels and looms, ii. 553.
Spires in Philadelpliia, iii. 202.
Sports and amusements, i. 104, 276, 310;

iii. 164.
Spotted Cat Tavern, iii. 350.
Spring and summer, facts, ii. 361, 362.
Springettsbury, i. 78, 487 ; ii. 478 ; iii. 400.
Spring Garden, i. 486, 491 ; iii. 499.
Springs, i. 132, 425, 489-492.

mineral, ii. 463.
Sprogcl, Edward, iii. 364.

John Henry, ii. 47.
Squares, dimensions of public, iii. 229.
Squirrels very plenty, i. 99.
St. Augustine's Romish cliurch, iii. 322.
St. George's Methodist church, iii. 326.
St. John, Hector, ii. 261.
St. Joseph's Romish church, iii. 318, 319.
St. Mary's Romish church, iii. 319-322.
St. Michael's Lutheran church, iii. 312.
St. Nicholas, i. 281.

St. Paul's church lottery, i. 455 ; ii. 444.
St. Paul's Episcopal church, i. 455 ; iii. 325.
St. Peter's church, i. 413; iii. 266-268.
Stacey, John, i. 477.

Stages and packets, i. 218; ii. 28; iii. 134,
Stamp Act, i. 535.

resisted, ii. 269-271, 280.
Stamper, .John, mayor, i. 66.
Stanley, William, i, 484.

44*

522

Index.

Stansberry, poet, ii. 303.

Stansbury, Nathan, alderman and mayor,

i. 60. 66.
State House, i. 50, 65, 98, 99, 101, 351, 396,
529 ; ii. 163, 274, 284, 287, 303 ; iii.
204,235; sold to city, 216 j clock,
210; yard, 206,221.
Inn, i. 403.
State in Schuylkill, i. 431 ; iii. 293.
Statistic facts, ii. 402-410; iii. 480, 481.
Steamboats, ii. 145, 446-456; on Atlantic,

iii. 483, 484.
Steam-carriages, iii. 485.
Steam-engines, i. 255, 585, 5S6 ; iii. 426-430.
Steel furnace, ii. 426; iii. 300.
Steelyards forbidden, i. 05.
Steeples, i. 381-383; ii. 614; iii. 483.
Stcnton. i. 525, 594.

Place, ii. 480.
Stevens, Gen., ii. 37, 48.
Stiegel, William, iii. 503; mansion at Man-

beim, iii. 259.
Still, Isaac, Indian, ii. 171.
Stille, Olof, ii. 171, 233, 237, 243, 247, 248.

Provost, address, iii. 113-116.
Stockings and shirts, ii. 608.
Stocks, i. 300.
Stoddart, John, iii. 450.
Stoddartsville, ii. 460.
Stoke Pogis, i. 89, 125.
Stokes, James, iii. 135.
Stone prison, i. 360; iii. 178.
Stores, etc. altered, i. 221, 241.

great country, ii. 67.
Store signs, i. 467 ; iii. 368.
Storey, Thomas, i. 23, 85, 369, 522.

first recorder, i. 25.
Storms, ii. 368, 481 ; iii. 492.
Stoves, i. 206, 218, 386; ii. 34, 296; iii.

132, 1.3.3, 201.
Strahan's Garden, iii. 395.
Streets, i. 49. 51, 61, 65, 67, 93, 101, 21.3,
210, 225, 226, 230, 233, 234: ii. 615.
names changed, ii. 492, 493; iii. 148,
499-501.
Strettle, Alderman, i. 64.
Stuart, Gilbert, ii. 64; portrait of Wash-
ington, iii. 272, 464.
Sturgeons, i. 40 ; ii. 412, 470.
Stuyvesant, Gov., i. 3, 9, 86 ; iii. 22-24.
Subterrane remains, ii. 422-426.
Sufferings of the Revolution, ii. 300, 306-

309, 321,328.
Sullivan, Gen., ii. 55, 199.
Summers, hot, ii. 353, 361.
Sunday-school, first, ii. 110.
Sunderland, or Sutherland, Earl, i. 85, 137.
Superstitions, i. 265.
Surrender to the Crown, i. 27, 28, 84.
Susquehanna grape, ii. 431.
Suter, Daniel, iii. 301.
oven family, i. 8, 10, 143, 146-149; ii. 609.
Sven Shute, ii. 250.
Swaim's Buildings, iii. 396.
Swansons or Swensons, i. 147-150 ; iii. 112.
Swatara, Pottsville, and Mauch Chunk, ii.

528.
Sweating gold coins, ii. 419.
Swedenborgian Church, iii. 328.

Swedes and Finns settle at Lewes, i. 4 ; va-
rious settlements, 7, 8 ; contests with the
Dutch, 8 ; iii. 22 ; take Fort Casimir, i.
8; iii. 23; settlement at Philadelphia,
iii. 24, 79, 113; subsequent history, i.
10, 1.3, 17, 50, 67, 72, 90, 91, 146, "l51;
ii. 7.3, 80, 159, 227-253, 278, 615; iii.
20-25.

Swedes at Swedesford, ii. 476.

Swedes' Church, i. 39, 146; iii. 106-110.

Swedish houses and dress, ii. 252, 477.

settlements. Prof. Stille's address, iii.

113.
West India Company, iii. 20.

Swenson, grant of land to, iii. 24.

Swift, John, i. 474.

Swimmers, i. 469.

Swords and cocked hats, i. 185.

Syng, John, strange death, ii. 465.

Tacony, title to, i. 10.

Tailors, mercers, and drapers, iii. 124.

Talbot, Col., i. 93.

Tamanend, St., ii. 172.

Tan-yards, i. 227, 339.

Tar and feathers, ii. 421.

Tariff, i. 247.

Tavern expressions for drunkenness, ii.

418.
Tavern-keepers in 1758, iii. 345.

signs, iii. 345-356.
Taverns, i. 62, 9.3, 98, 101, 132, 154, 394,

403, 463 ; iii. 344-367.
Taxables in the city, i. 99.
Taylor, Alderman, refuses mayoralty, i. 63.
Taylor's dock, above Vine street, i. 170.
Tea Act resisted, ii. 271-273.
Tea a rarity, i. 174.
Teachers, i. 288, 290, 2^4, 507, 563.
Tedyuscung, ii. 127, 170.
Teeth, transplanting, i. 179.
Tenecum, i. 8, 9. See Tinicum Island.
Tennent family, i. 288, 326, 450, 539.
Gilbert, i. 540; iii. 277, 309.
Rev. AVilliam, i. 173: ii. 96.
Tenth Presbyterian Church, iii. 310.
Theatres, i. 101, 102, 104, 471, 486; iii.

369-380.
Thomas, Gabriel, i. 66, 378; ii. 156; his

description of the Province of Pennsj-l-

vania, i. 66-73, 172; iii. 88.
Thomas, Gov., ii. 274.
Thomson, Charles, i. 53, 132, 342, 384, 421,

567, 597; ii. 280, 326; iii. 442, 443.
Three Crowns Tavern, iii. 349.
Three Jolly Irishmen Tavern, ii. 549.
Tides of the Delaware, ii. 471.
Tilghman, .Judge, mansion, i. 377 ; iii. J93.
Till, Mrs. Hannah, i. 601.
William, mavor, i. 66.
Tinicum Island, "i. 8, 9; ii. 177, 233, 241,

246, 251 ; iii. 21, 79, 468.
Tivoli Theatre in Prune street, iii. 373.
Tobacco, i. 78; ii. 245-247, 485.
Todd, John, school-teacher, i. 290.
Tomatoes, first introduced, i. 223; iii. 135.
Tom Bell, i. 552.

Index.

523

Tombsfones, old, ii. 36, 73, 74.
Tourists and their notices, i. 244.
Town bulls, i. 59.
Town-house, i. 50, 350-352.
Town-meeting ballad, ii. 304.
Townsend, Richard, i. 128, 141, 390 j ii.
511; iii. 104.

Grace, i. 598.
Town's Er,enhuj Post, ii. 294-296, 393.
Tradesmen, i. 70, 175, 246; iii. 145.
Travelling in Pensylvania, ii. 661.
Treaty for Philadelphia lands, ii. 175, 176;
iii. 104, 105.

of peace, i. 534; ii. 332.
Treaty Tree, i. 134-146; ii. 237, 247, 420,
491, 604; iii. 43.

Birch's picture of, i. 138.

monument, i. 138.

when destroyed, i. 137.
Trees, i. 51, 69, 10.3, 168, 222, 369, 397, 408,
558.

great ones, ii. 491.
Trent, William, buys Norriton, i. 34, 97,

165, 309.
Trenton and falls, i. 74, 165.
Treveskin, country-seat, ii. 478.
Truffles at Laurel Hill, iii. 140.
Tucker's Beach, ii. 463.
Tulpehocken, i. 100 ; ii. 164, 207, 254.
Tumanaxamaming Creek, ii. 35.
Tunkards, ii. 23, 42, 60, 111, 258 ; iii. 461.
Turkeys, i. 17, 41, 45 ; wild, ii. 35, 82, 113.
Turner, Robert, i. 11, 13, 20, 21, 49, 82, 167,
338,365, 391,392; iii. 52, 202.

Joseph, refuses to be mayor, i. 63 ; his
country-seat, i. 494; ii. 478.
Turnpikes, i. 257; ii. 67, 468; iii. 152.
Tyng, Rev. Dudley A., iii. 325.

Rev. Stephen H., iii. 325.

. u.

Umbrellas and parasols, i. 193.

Uncle Sam, ii. 335.

Uncle Tom's Cnhin, iii. 379.

Undertakers for funerals, ii. 616.

Unitarian Church, account of, iii. 326-328.

United States Hotel, iii. 193.

United States offices, i. 227, 375.

Union Canal, ii. 468.

Union Fire Company, iii. 407.

Union Library Company, iii. 335.

University, i. 416; iii. 276, 277.

School, iii. 277.
Unpublished papers, ii. 505-509.
Upland, i. 14, 42, 142; ii. 94, 234, 250.

Penn's court at, i. 16.

courts, ii. 234-249.
Upshur, Abel P., iii. 95, 96.
Usselinx, William, ii. 230.

Valley Forge, i. 275; ii. 62. 83, 320.
Van Campen, Lieutenant, ii. 193.
Vaughan, John, i. 397.
Vaux, George, i. 611.

Richard, address, iii. 415-423.

Roberts, iii. 414.
Vauxhall Garden, iii. 403, 404.

Vauxhall Theatre, iii. 373.

Vegetables, ii. 486, 487.

Venables, Robert, a black, i. 101, 103 ; and

Treaty Tree, 141 ; 159, 354; iL 176.
Vendues, i. 102, 354.
Vernon, Admiral, i. 327.
Vessels cleared the port, i. 99.
Vine street landing, i. 155.
Vineyard, The, i. 483, 488, 519; iii. 437.
Virgil and wife, i. 103, 567 ; ii. 479.
Virginia line, ii. 46, 53, 306.
Visits and visiting, i. 174.
Volunteers, i. 325-327, 329, 400.

Wade, Robert, i. 10, 127; ii. 94.

Wager family, i. 479.

Wagons, first, ii. 122, 146.

Wakefield, birthplace of Washington, i.

681.
Waldy, Henry, first postmaster, ii. 391.
Wallace, Andrew, i. 677.
Wain, Nicholas, i. 607 ; iii. 435.
Wain's house, i. 486; iii. 396.

Row, i. 39, 370.
Walnut street, i. 485.
Walnut Street Prison and sufferers, i. 361 ;

ii. 300, 302, 341 ; iii. 179.
Walton settles Bybcrry, ii. 75.
Warder, John, i. 168, 174, 481.

Mrs. Lydia, i. 599.
Wardrobe of Franklin, iiv ''21.
Wards, original division ot, "i. 71, 235.
Warminster, residence of Fitch, i. 586.
Warner at Willow Grove in 1658, i. 11.
George, i. 61, 601.
Joseph, iii. 414.
William, iii. 291, 294.
War of Independence, i. 406, 510, 534; ii.

278-337.
Wasev, Capt. Joseph, i. 618.
Washington, Gen., i. 189, 209, house, 227;
286, 327, 422, 578, 596 ; ii. 8, 24, 37,
41, 44, 60-64, 86, 128, 142, 165, 287,
320, 453 ; iii. 272.
and La Fayette, iii. 498.
Washington Grays, iii. 173.
AVashington Hose Company, iii. 425.
Washington Monument in Square, iii. 230.
relics, iii. 495-497.
Retreat, iii. 494.

Square, i. 405; iii. 229, 230; Potters'
Field in, iii. 71.
Washington's arms, iii. 495.

coach, i. 581 ; iii. 128.
Washington's house, i. 683 ; ii. 498 ; iii. 445.

library, iii. 495.
Watches and clocks, i. 194, 204, 218; iii.

122.
Watch-house, i. 59, 65, 211, 324; iii. 131.
Watering-places, ii. 462-465, 538.
Watermelons, i. 103.
Waterspout at Kensington, ii. 415
Water street, i. 225, 227.
Waterworks, i. 457 ; iii. 357.
Watson, i. 91, 124, 182.

John, surveyor-general, i. 124; ii. 97,
100. 519.

624

Index.

Watson, John F., memoir, iil. 13-16.

Luke, i. O;?, 9-1.
Watts, Rev. John, i. 447.
Wayman, Rev. Dr., i. 381.
AVeaders, Michael, the idiot, i. 175; ii. 548.
Wearing apparel, early, iii. 122.
Weather prognostics, ii. 363, 364.
Weddings and marriages, i. 178, 503.
Weeds, noxious, ii. 413.
Wcems' Life of J'eun, i. 123.
Weiser, Conrad, ii. 109. 116, 117, 120, 143,

149, 178, 207, 255. 258.
Weiss, Col. Jacob, of Weissport, ii. 480.

George Michael, iii. 315, 316.
"Welcome," ship, arrives, i. 15; iii. 37-39.
Wellfare, Michael, i. 551.
Wells and pumps, i. 104, 211, 392, 441 ; iii.

96.
Welsh, first settlement, i. 11, 19, 381 ; iii.
432.

preaching, i. 381; ii. 417.
Wesley, Rev. John, i. 455, 459 ; ii. 268.
West, Benjamin, i. 135, 136, 469, 575 ; iii.
444 ; his painting of Pcnn's Treaty, iii. 43.
Westchester, gems found, ii. 427.

deer and game in, ii. 434.
Western commons, i. 485 ; iii. 389.

pioneers, ii. 562.

settlements, ii. 566.
West Philadelphia, iii. 481.
Wetherill, Samuel, iii. 431.
Whalebone alley, i. 103.
AVhales and whaling, ii. 428, 429.
AVharton, Thomas, ii. 397.

House, haunted, ii. 290, 477; iii. 153,
471.

Walter, ii. 242-244.
Wharves, i. 71, 93, 103, 236, 395; iii. 88.
Wheelbarrow-men, i. 437; ii. 480.
Whig Quakers, i. 510.
Whipping-post, pillory, and stocks, i. 361 ;

iii. 182.
Whiskers, how worn, i. 194.
White & Hazard, ii. 460, 461.

Bishop, i. 381, 387, 413, 421 ; iii. 195.

John, cutting hay, i. 93, 95.

Major, ii. 59, 60.
Whitefield, George, i. 173, 346-352, 385,
411, 450, 484, 537-541; ii. 264, 378; iii.
121, 274, 308.
Whitemarsh camp, ii. 316-320.
AVhitpain's house, i. 57, 94, 428 ; iii. 300.
Wiccaco, i. 55, 146, 152 ; ii. 246, 250 ; iii. 24.

Fort, i. 8.
Wigglcsworth, i. 237, 428.
Wigs, i. 185, 190, 197.
Wilcox, B., mayor, ropewalk, i. 49, 66.
Wilkesbarre, ii. 125.
Wilkcson, Judge S., ii. 145.
Wilkinson, Jemima, i. 553.

Gen., ii. 38, 654.
William IV., king, ii. 41.
Willing, Charles, mayor, i. 64, 66; iii. 86,
448.

House, ii. 619; iii. 270, 448.

Willing & Morris, sell shares, ii. 264.

T., maj'or, i. 6fi ; iii. 87, 448.
Willow planted by Franklin, i. 408; ii. 487.

street, i. 436.
Wilson, James, i. 597; iii. 286.

Judge J., i. 320,425-427.

Fort, i. 425; iii. 286.
Wilton Place, i. 494; ii. 478.
AVindmill Island, i. 132; ii. 470; iii. 489,

490.
Window-panes, i. 217,386.
Wingohocking Creek, ii. 35, 72.
Winn, Thomas, orders fines, i. 95.
Winters, hard, ii. 347, 349, 357 ; mild, ii.
350, 351, 358 ; irregular, 352, 353 ; notices
from 1681 to 1800, 354-359 ; less severe,
iii. 474.
Wise, Capt., ii. 270.
Wissahiekon, i. 94; ii. 27, 35, 42, 577.
Wistar, Daniel, house, i. 532.

parties, ii. 497.
Witchcraft, ii. 32.
Witches, i. 265, 266, 274, 275.
Witherspoon, Major, ii. 59.
Witt, Dr. C.,i. 267; ii. 22.
Wolves, i. 94, 96 ; ii. 35, 92, 252, 433, 481.
Womelsdorf, ii. 194.
Women, frail ones, i. 257.
Woodlands, iii. 493.

Cemetery, iii. 139.
Woods, i. 231 ; ii. 34, 40, 80, 104, 146, 392,

485.
Woodwork of old mansions, iii. 134.
Worms on trees, ii. 413.
Worrell, William, ii. 82.
Wounded and dead soldiers, ii. 38, 48, 52,

58, 60.
AVrightstown, ii. 99, 245.
Wright, Susannah, i. 560.
Wyalusing, ii. 169, 170.
AVyoming and massacre, ii. 123-127, 150.

Yankee Doodle, ii. 333.

Yarnall, Eli, second sight, i. 273.

Yates, Jasper, house, at Chester, i. 128,

129; ii. 94.
Yellow Cottage Tavern, iii. 364.
Yellow fever, i. 23; ii. 41, 63, 94, 361, 370,

389 : iii. 65.
Yellow Springs, ii. 463.
York county, i. 99, 100,
York road, ii. 99.

Young America stenm fire-engine, iii. 427.
Young ladies' aeademv, i. 292.
Youth, i. 103, 172, 180, 282, 292, 310, 418,

603.

Zane, Isaac, house, i. 232.
Zimmerman, .John Jacob, iii. 459.
Zin/.endorf, Count, and daughter, i. 539,

641 ; ii. 127, 149; iii. 324.
Zion Lutheran Church, iii. 313.

If-rj

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Texts

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Annals of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania, in the olden time; being a collection of memoirs, anecdotes, and incidents of the city and its inhabitants, and of the earliest settlements of the inland part of Pennsylvania"

See other formats